9/27/2007

Allow public protest

This is what Liew Kai Khiun recommended yesterday. I thought it was an exercise not worth mentioning. But today there were some responses to his remarks. One pro and one against, to provide a balance view by the Today paper. But how many actually wrote in to support or oppose, your guess is as good as mind. By the way, what is the purpose of protest? Sure there are many things that pissed us off every now and then. There are very serious issues and some not so serious. Most went by without any protest. So everyone believes that everything is ok. But no one will know when a Myanmar will visit us, and if it did, everyone will be caught unprepared for sure. For any issue can spark off a major protest when the pent up feelings have been suppressed for too long over the years. And before such a visit, Singaporeans must find a means to express their objections or unhappiness over issues or policies. A public protest or demonstration is the most popular form to show displeasure. But given the current political environment, many would not want to risk the pain. This does not mean that Singaporeans should shut up. KPKB is one means to show displeasure and opposition. Asking questions like school boys in a monologue sessions between school teachers and school childrens, or writing to the media hoping for a reply is exactly what they will get. A reply. And once the reply is given, it is taken for granted that it is explained and accepted, case closed and life goes on. Ya, let's move on. What Singaporeans need is a platform to simply say No. We do not buy your reasons or explanations, and we do not want to go along with it. No need any clever reply whatsoever. That is what a protest is all about. To say no to policies or issues and to tell the authorities not to go ahead with it. And if they do, they can go ahead without the blessing of the people. And sure, that is all the people can do now. And the govt can go on not listening and do what it wants or what it thinks best. But hopefully the democratic forces will play its rightful role one day and a new govt be formed. Protest is necessary and important. But protest for the sake of protest is meaningless if it does not achieve any results. Find a way to say no and for the govt to hear the NO loudly, be it peaceful or violent protest, or just kpkb in the net. The important thing is to get the message across.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

On your last note, protests heard but no further action is also fruitless. What do you do then?

Anonymous said...

Well, during the WTO meeting in Singapore they allowed protest, but only indoors and on their terms. Such protest surely does not achieve results. In Singapore you can be sure that in any protest march the number of policemen will certainly outnumber the number of protesters. So, what are you gonna do?

Anonymous said...

but i am scared to protest. i think the army will send their leopards and apaches like they did on national day. so no thanks, i better play safe.. stay at home and watch you heros slug it out...

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

when nothing happens, no problem.

come back here and kpkb : )

or maybe go and shave bald and walk the streets, begging for alms.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

agree, better stay here and kpkb.

so safe.

Anonymous said...

Kpkb on this blog also cannot. Some bros ask: what for kpkb and achieve nothing. Might as well run away. Die lah!

Anonymous said...

There is nothing anyone can do to change a culture deeply ingrained into the people.

The whole idea is to watch the system collapse, have a good laugh at the suffering of others, and pick up the "opportunities" just as the smoke clears.

As an added bonus, one gets to revel in one's feeling of "superiority" :-))

I like the last bit the best.