Men In White -- this article says it all

[Hawkeye1819]

Read this article. It says it all. No further elaboration required.

Once, they crossed swords. Now ...
MM Lee cajoles former colleagues to take photos
05:55 AM Sep 09, 2009
by Leong Wee Keat
THE book launch was over but before the guests could start to leave, the master of ceremonies asked them to stay back: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew wanted to say "hello" to his former parliamentary colleagues.
Warm handshakes followed and, at one point, Mr Lee even cajoled some of them to take photographs with him.
"Come," said Mr Lee in Mandarin to ex-legislators who once filled the back-benches of the chamber - men who once provided the fiercest opposition to Mr Lee when they split from the People's Action Party.
Yesterday, the likes of former Barisan Socialis leader Fong Swee Suan and former leftist Chen Say Jame stepped forward and joined Mr Lee before the cameras.
And as the flashes and shutters went off, applause also rang out in the chamber.
That was the scene - decades after they last crossed swords in the legislature - at the Old Parliament House, in a re-union for some 150 past and present PAP members.
Gathered for the launch of the book Men in White - which tells of the untold stories inside the ruling party - many saw the event as an opportunity to catch up with old friends.
Mr Chen, an early PAP member and leftist unionist, said he last met his parliamentary colleagues decades ago. When asked about his photo moment with Mr Lee, the 77-year-old chuckled in Mandarin: "I'm just an ordinary person. He went on to be the Prime Minister."
The inclusion of left-wing voices was a key feature of the 692-page book - written by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) journalists Sonny Yap, Richard Lim and Leong Weng Kam - in the retelling of key events in the PAP.
This inclusion, said Mr Lim Chin Joo - the younger brother of former PAP assemblymen Lim Chin Siong, who quit the party and formed Barisan Socialis - made the book comprehensive.
Now 72, Mr Lim, who spent nine years in detention for his left-wing activities, hopes the book could be the catalyst for more books charting Singapore's early political history. "I hope that the atmosphere will change and that others will soon follow in making their voices heard," he said.
SPH chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan said Men in White told the story of the ruling party through its former stalwarts, grassroots activists and their adversaries.
"Without their inputs, the PAP story would be incomplete and unbalanced. The result is a story of the PAP with its warts, blemishes and all," said Dr Tan.
Mr Fong, 78, a PAP founding member who helped lead the split in the party, said the stories of modern Singapore and PAP "are intertwined".
"The important thing is to inspire others, such as the younger ones, and let them know about Singapore's political history and how we have gotten here," he added.
Dr Tan echoed this in his speech earlier when he said: "This huge project will not be in vain if the book helps to equip a new generation of readers to rethink the Singapore Story, overturn some long standing assumptions, question some conventional wisdom and debunk some myths and taboos."
URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090909-0000107/Once,-they-crossed-swords,-Now-,,,
Copyright 2009 MediaCorp Pte Ltd | All Rights Reserved

 

[Hawkeye1819]

Speechless at this ....

Mr Chen, an early PAP member and leftist unionist, said he last met his parliamentary colleagues decades ago. When asked about his photo moment with Mr Lee, the 77-year-old chuckled in Mandarin: "I'm just an ordinary person. He went on to be the Prime Minister."

The inclusion of left-wing voices was a key feature of the 692-page book - written by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) journalists Sonny Yap, Richard Lim and Leong Weng Kam - in the retelling of key events in the PAP.

This inclusion, said Mr Lim Chin Joo - the younger brother of former PAP assemblymen Lim Chin Siong, who quit the party and formed Barisan Socialis - made the book comprehensive.​

 

[scroobal]

Not quite. There were 2 factions within the leftist/pro-communist. While under detention in Changi, they were kept apart. Only one faction was approached by the authors and you can guess which faction and this is the faction that formed the Ex-Detainees Political Association. This faction began to draw income undertaking various work including work with PA.

Read this article. It says it all. No further elaboration required.

Once, they crossed swords. Now ...
MM Lee cajoles former colleagues to take photos
05:55 AM Sep 09, 2009
by Leong Wee Keat
THE book launch was over but before the guests could start to leave, the master of ceremonies asked them to stay back: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew wanted to say "hello" to his former parliamentary colleagues.
Warm handshakes followed and, at one point, Mr Lee even cajoled some of them to take photographs with him.
"Come," said Mr Lee in Mandarin to ex-legislators who once filled the back-benches of the chamber - men who once provided the fiercest opposition to Mr Lee when they split from the People's Action Party.
Yesterday, the likes of former Barisan Socialis leader Fong Swee Suan and former leftist Chen Say Jame stepped forward and joined Mr Lee before the cameras.
And as the flashes and shutters went off, applause also rang out in the chamber.
That was the scene - decades after they last crossed swords in the legislature - at the Old Parliament House, in a re-union for some 150 past and present PAP members.
Gathered for the launch of the book Men in White - which tells of the untold stories inside the ruling party - many saw the event as an opportunity to catch up with old friends.
Mr Chen, an early PAP member and leftist unionist, said he last met his parliamentary colleagues decades ago. When asked about his photo moment with Mr Lee, the 77-year-old chuckled in Mandarin: "I'm just an ordinary person. He went on to be the Prime Minister."
The inclusion of left-wing voices was a key feature of the 692-page book - written by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) journalists Sonny Yap, Richard Lim and Leong Weng Kam - in the retelling of key events in the PAP.
This inclusion, said Mr Lim Chin Joo - the younger brother of former PAP assemblymen Lim Chin Siong, who quit the party and formed Barisan Socialis - made the book comprehensive.
Now 72, Mr Lim, who spent nine years in detention for his left-wing activities, hopes the book could be the catalyst for more books charting Singapore's early political history. "I hope that the atmosphere will change and that others will soon follow in making their voices heard," he said.
SPH chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan said Men in White told the story of the ruling party through its former stalwarts, grassroots activists and their adversaries.
"Without their inputs, the PAP story would be incomplete and unbalanced. The result is a story of the PAP with its warts, blemishes and all," said Dr Tan.
Mr Fong, 78, a PAP founding member who helped lead the split in the party, said the stories of modern Singapore and PAP "are intertwined".
"The important thing is to inspire others, such as the younger ones, and let them know about Singapore's political history and how we have gotten here," he added.
Dr Tan echoed this in his speech earlier when he said: "This huge project will not be in vain if the book helps to equip a new generation of readers to rethink the Singapore Story, overturn some long standing assumptions, question some conventional wisdom and debunk some myths and taboos."
URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090909-0000107/Once,-they-crossed-swords,-Now-,,,
Copyright 2009 MediaCorp Pte Ltd | All Rights Reserved

 

[Hawkeye1819]

What would Lim Hock Siew, Poh Soo Kai and Said Zahari feel now that Lim Chin Joo is cosying up with LKY?

 

[Hawkeye1819]

Not quite. There were 2 factions within the leftist/pro-communist. While under detention in Changi, they were kept apart. Only one faction was approached by the authors and you can guess which faction and this is the faction that formed the Ex-Detainees Political Association. This faction began to draw income undertaking various work including work with PA.

Thanks for the highlight, certainly worthwhile food for thought.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

didn't tan jing quee go into partnership with lim chin joo?...

Not quite. There were 2 factions within the leftist/pro-communist. While under detention in Changi, they were kept apart. Only one faction was approached by the authors and you can guess which faction and this is the faction that formed the Ex-Detainees Political Association. This faction began to draw income undertaking various work including work with PA.

 

[scroobal]

Yes, and someone has to write a book about both these factions.

Both Poh and Hock Siew knew old man personally long before Chin Siong and company met old man. Poh and Hock Siew engaged old man over the Fajar case and helped raised funds for the bringing in of silk. After the success of Fajar case, the Chinese Left wing and the Middle Road gang approached old man to defend their students.

Dominic Puthucheary must have a hide as thick as an elephant to turn up. Old man spoke of him and his brother in such derogatory terms. He however sang praises of Chin Siong, Fong etc as worthy adversaries in his memoirs etc.

didn't tan jing quee go into partnership with lim chin joo?...

 

[saratogas]

I feel MM Lee trying to repair old and unhappy grudges with his enemy, to obtain more good karma be4 he Bye Bye.

 

[Hope]

Yes, and someone has to write a book about both these factions.

Both Poh and Hock Siew knew old man personally long before Chin Siong and company met old man. Poh and Hock Siew engaged old man over the Fajar case and helped raised funds for the bringing in of silk. After the success of Fajar case, the Chinese Left wing and the Middle Road gang approached old man to defend their students.

Dominic Puthucheary must have a hide as thick as an elephant to turn up. Old man spoke of him and his brother in such derogatory terms. He however sang praises of Chin Siong, Fong etc as worthy adversaries in his memoirs etc.

Old timer indeed!Middle Road,that was long long ago.all Hainanese clans,chicken rice,Tay See shops.

 

[scroobal]

Bro, the person that best can put this picture together in a neutral manner is Toh Paik Choo. This lady has in a matter of a few years has acquired considerable political acumen and nose for ferreting out the nuances and the truth. A complete swing from her days of covering the decadent lifestyles of the 70s and 80s.

I know that she is respected and trusted by the old factions. Arthur Lim and Tommy Koh were in the thick of things, knew the players from both sides of the equation and can get facilitate the exercise. Michael Fernandez and Tan Jin Quee could assist as they both have covered much ground doing their own research. As they tend to rather partial or too shy, Paik Choo can provide the common ground.

I know for a fact that Lee Foundation will underwrite the entire exercise and have no fear of old man. Lee Kong Chian's Nephew is in the thick of it and Lee Kong Chian had bailed this mob financially before.

Paik Choo, please help.

What would Lim Hock Siew, Poh Soo Kai and Said Zahari feel now that Lim Chin Joo is cosying up with LKY?

 

[Hope]

Bro, the person that best can put this picture together in a neutral manner is Toh Paik Choo. This lady has in a matter of a few years has acquired considerable political acumen and nose for ferreting out the nuances and the truth. A complete swing from her days of covering the decadent lifestyles of the 70s and 80s.

I know that she is respected and trusted by the old factions. Arthur Lim and Tommy Koh were in the thick of things, knew the players from both sides of the equation and can get facilitate the exercise. Michael Fernandez and Tan Jin Quee could assist as they both have covered much ground doing their own research. As they tend to rather partial or too shy, Paik Choo can provide the common ground.

I know for a fact that Lee Foundation will underwrite the entire exercise and have no fear of old man. Lee Kong Chian's Nephew is in the thick of it and Lee Kong Chian had bailed this mob financially before.

Paik Choo, please help.

Great news,all roads leading to Rome.Harry does everything with an intention,or Agenda.

Does he know not that many people already can see thro him?I guess not,cause I personally believe that he is in the league of late Chairman Mao,a senile old man.

I was convinced after the infamous statement:

I STILL CANT REMEMBER!!!

 

[scroobal]

Agree with you and it is made worse by his associates who tell that everyone believes him.

After realising that "The Untold Story of the PAP" did no justice, I am tempted to move things. I also mindful that many key players are waiting for old man to kick the bucket.

If it was an independent book, why the hell did old man vet the draft. Why the hell is he signing the book.

Great news,all roads leading to Rome.Harry does everything with an intention,or Agenda.

Does he know not that many people already can see thro him?I guess not,cause I personally believe that he is in the league of late Chairman Mao,a senile old man.

I was convinced after the infamous statement:

I STILL CANT REMEMBER!!!

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scroobal

Factions within the Communist and leftists ? The only possible divide I see is the rich communist poor communist divide :_)) The interviews of the communist and leftist seem stacked in favor of the poor and lower middle class communist. the rich intellectuals seem to have sparse coverage whether deliberately or for what reason I can't fathom



Locke

 

[scroobal]

Looks like you found the answer! Always knew that LSE was particularly selective.

Dear Scroobal

Factions within the Communist and leftists ? The only possible divide I see is the rich communist poor communist divide :_)) The interviews of the communist and leftist seem stacked in favor of the poor and lower middle class communist. the rich intellectuals seem to have sparse coverage whether deliberately or for what reason I can't fathom
Locke

 

[Ah Guan]

It seems the SPH is working overtime to show Old Man repairing some broken relationships with the old players


http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,213192,00.html

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" bgColor=#000000><TBODY><TR><TD>Outside the Men In White New book brings old foes together
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=font12w>Opp MAN IN </TD></TR><TR><TD>Once in power, then out of the PAP, opposition veterans were back in the old Parliament House - but only for the afternoon</TD></TR><TR><TD class=font12w><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=left><TBODY><TR><TD class=font12w>By Ng Tze Yong</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=font12w><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=font12w>September 10, 2009</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

IT WAS an unusual reunion, one which brought together the victors and the vanquished, and an occasion heavy with camaraderie - and awkwardness.
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width=150 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-2]HAND SHAKE BETWEEN OLD FOES: Mr Fong meets MM Lee at the launch of Men in White. PICTURES: LIANHE ZAOBAO[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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.

<HR SIZE=1 width="97%">

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.

 

[Ah Guan]

I would love to see MM be at Chia Thye Poh's autobiography launch

 

[nickers9]

Better repair broken relationships with my old enemies as when I goes down to hell, I wanna have some kaki to limp kopi with.

I dont wanna goes down there without having friends and the only acquaintance that I have is the devil.

 

[scroobal]

Is he writing one?

I would love to see MM be at Chia Thye Poh's autobiography launch

 

[vectraa]

Is he writing one?

Doubt many would even remember Chia Thye Poh now.

Having been locked up for so many years, his story will certainty be interesting but will only tell half the story ...

 

[Ah Guan]

Is he writing one?

I dunno but he really should

This guy's resolve is as amazing as his intellect - based in Europe now, he is still doing research on international politics

A book is simply not enough to tell his story. They must make a bio-movie of his life