I have several titles in mind for this piece, like Crowd
Funding or People’s Power Singapore style. The above title is quite catchy and
amusing and had my vote. The gist of this article is not about who is afraid of
who but the evolving political consciousness of the Sinkies crawling their way
back to become Singaporeans again. There are so many serious issues facing the
Sinkies today, once timid and docile to the extent of being daft, but gradually
rediscovering themselves and recognising the need to stand up to fight for
their rights to live a decent life in a country overwhelmed by the presence of
foreigners poised to edge them out of their comfort zones. Many have already
fallen victims to this deluge of so called foreign talents or funny talents
that their life style and livelihood have taken a serious setback.
The current hot issue is the life savings of the people in
the CPF and this is gradually transforming into a grey area when ownership
becomes a questionable issue to the detriment of their rightful owners. While
the Govt continues to behave smugly and try to explain away their rights to
determine and decide for the people in the use of their savings, and when and
how much should be returned to them as if the money belongs to the Govt, the
docile Sinkies are rising to demand to have their money back as promised. For
the moment the Govt is still having the upper hand, holding the trump card of
legislature to make whatever it wants to do legal. The Sinkies are not taking it
quietly, not going to be pooh poohed away by superficial explanations that even
children would not find them funny.
This tussle for the return of the people’s savings has
indirectly led to a defamation lawsuit involving a young blogger and the Prime
Minister. Roy Ngerng has crossed the line by his comparison of the trial of
misappropriation of the City Harvest
Church fund and the CPF money and
the Prime Minister. The PM is demanding for his pound of flesh by engaging the
island’s top defamation lawyer to sue Roy Ngerng.
Many people in the social media are rallying to support Roy
financially and morally in his legal battle with the PM not because they agree
to his allegation but more because of their unhappiness over the CPF money and
also a righteouness to defend the weak against the mighty. It is like the
people standing up to the govt. It is like a surge of People’s Power against
the Govt. And the people are doing it the Singaporean way, through the legal
system, abiding by the rule of law.
To protest or to challenge the Govt, they are not marching
in the streets with their feet. They are storming into the courts of law with
their money. In one day, $15,000 was raised through anonymous contributions
ranging from $2 to $1,000. By end of yesterday, more than $36,600 has been
received. Roy is aiming to raise
$70,000 to cover his legal fees and it looks that this is not a difficult
target to achieve. The People’s Power
will be determined by the sum of money raised. No violence, no street protest,
no burning of police cars or rioting. It is all about money, the only language
Sinkies understood.
No money no talk. No money no justice as the price for
justice will not come cheap, at least $70,000 for a start. The rich and powerful
can literally drown the poor and weak by unleashing the might of their war
chest of money.
Would Roy get
the support from the people, would the people rise in tandem like a spontaneous
uprising by throwing their money behind Roy?
Or would the CPF members abandon Roy
to fight his own battle, just like all the pathetic Sinkies? From the donations
received so far, there are enough Singaporeans who are willing to put their
money behind Roy.
Kopi Level - Yellow
29 comments:
I believe yr post reflect the sentiments of many people if not most. Will they listen are the listening. Probably not. Damage ego knows no bounds.
"Many people in the social media are rallying to support Roy financially and morally in his legal battle with the PM not because they agree to his allegation but more because of their unhappiness over the CPF money and also a righteouness to defend the weak against the mighty."
RB
Tiok. Very tiok.
And precisely also why the majority Sinkies are also voting PAP not because they agree with PAP policy but more because the opposition is not ready to be govt.
SO while Roy will get the strong financial support, PAP will also continue to get the strong mandate of 60% to rule Sinkies again after next election.
"SO while Roy will get the strong financial support, PAP will also continue to get the strong mandate of 60% to rule Sinkies again after next election."
Anon 11:34 am
Alamak, if like that support Roy for what? It's lose lose for Roy and his supporters because PAP will still win, tio bo?
Revealing the donated amount provides transparency. As with transparency it has 2 sides of a coin. It tells of the support on cpf issues. It also provides ammo fr the plaintiff.
Let us see if the grey area finally turn into black or white, or some other colour?
What do you think?
The answer to your last para is "YES YES YES. The support for Roy is overwhelming. It is the only legal way to hit back at the thieves who stole our money... They have gone too far with their evil stick.
In my simplistic view, Trust (not Roy) is the main factor (not minimum sum either) to make CPF work for many people. However, the public CPF accounts (exclude Medisave) cannot be the 100% fallback (likely 25%-50% for many) to cover our private expenses when we get older.
During my tertiary school time, my parents would give me a one-time $300 for my monthly expenses (leftover as savings). The days when I had some income, I (including other siblings) would contribute $300 monthly back to my parents.
Again in my simplistic view, a person contributed dutifully to the CPF accounts $300 monthly for the past 15 years. When he gets older, what he would rightfully expect is to have $300 for next 15 years at least (provided there is still money left in CPF after deducting HDB loan).
For those who have squeezed out all CPF and personal savings, you will have hard times ahead, looking for other alternatives and means.
Democracy is not the law of the majority but the protection of the minority.
– Albert Camus
That which is not just is not law.
– William Lloyd Garrison
One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.
– Martin Luther King, Jr
“If laws are unjust, they must be continually broken until they are altered.”
– Josephine Ruffin
The legislation of the government has been directed rather to the protection of the rights of money and property than to the best good of the citizen.
– Susette LaFlesche
It’s up to us, the people, to break immoral laws, and resist.
– Cindy Sheehan
“I hope people will not think we are encouraging people to break the law. But our actions should teach people, and children, to scrutinize laws against human life, and they should be broken to prove a point.”
– Barbara Wiedner
http://www.doonething.org/quotes/law-quotes-5.htm
Aiyah redbean, you are confusing 2 separate issues. The first is the dissatisfaction expressed by a loud minority of people over CPF "ownership"
The other is Ngerng as a defendant in a libel/ defamation suit. Whether or not the CPF thing is resolved doesn't change the fact that Ngerng in his youthful enthusiasm lacked the self-control to craft his article with some restraint over his emotions, given that exuberance sometimes gets the better of all of us. To me, that's ok. He's a young chap. I also don't believe that libel laws are "just". People should be allowed free rein on expression -- even if that expression is untrue, based on wild speculation, or pure hatred. ("Hate speech" is a bullshit idea)
Freedom of speech hits the "limit" only when there is direct PHYSICAL ACTION involved; meaning -- you can say anything you like, but you cannot shout "Fire!" in a theater as a hoax, or incite a mob to act violently. Both examples connote immediate physical action in a situation where your choice as a free thinking individual is severely constrained.
In the first case, if you hear "Fire!", you have to get out...if you second guess, you could be killed if there really was a fire.
In the second case, you have to act with the mob, or they could turn on you and deem you a "traitor in our midst", and similarly, you could be killed.
Nonetheless, Ngerng is entitled to proper representation in his case, and as you quite correctly stated, in Singapore you need to have money. Like it or not, it is the reality we all live with.
Given the record and consistency of the PAP when it comes to defamatory lawsuits, and the willingness of the courts to agree with such accusations, IMO, Ngerng's chances of an acquittal are slim to none.
"For those who have squeezed out all CPF and personal savings, you will have hard times ahead, looking for other alternatives and means."
Green Matter 1:07 pm
How many are those? 60%? 40%?
And will PAP be voted out because of those?
@116:
All very laudable and pithy quotes.
However to repeal or change so-called "unjust law" is not easy. You have to make a LEGAL CASE to prove, in court that the laws in question are unjust.
If you cannot or will not do that, all those quotes are just prose which is nice to read, or for you to enunciate in an attempt to impress your friends whilst drinking at the bar. ;-)
I said:
>> You have to make a LEGAL CASE to prove, in court that the laws in question are unjust.
amend to "In court or in parliament"
In China, managers are the new labor activists
-------------------------
Yue Yuen's strike wasn't the first time in recent years managers, rather than front-line workers, helped orchestrate industrial action in China.
Managers were also involved in leading a strike at IBM's facility in Shenzhen in March, according to a worker and another person briefed on the strike. IBM declined to comment.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-managers-labor-activists-020815655.html
Yes, who's afraid of Roy Ngerng?
This man's message only circulates on social media, and if according to some people, only about 1% of Singaporeans read his post, and 99% depend on the MSM, why is there so much to fear Roy Ngerng? It is not logical.
wah lau eh!
GE 2016 already coming ah!
so many problems.
so little time.
More performance bonus before we get voted out?
Good idea or not?
The situation resemble a virtual election, although it is not.
No one is afraid of Roy Ngerng but when there are another few more Roy Ngerng wannabees asking for donations, it will damage the alternative parties credibility and hence success. There is no lack of people out there in this world trying to exploit people sympathy under some form of political headings. All I can say is this guy should watch his mouth if he wants to help alternative views to grow.
Roy will not be acquitted in this defamation suit. He is as good as convicted. Even before you step in a Singapore court, if the case involves the Singapore government against you, you are dead meat even before the first word is uttered in court. Sorry Roy, you are as good as dead. Better think about collecting all your CPF and apply for PR in another country. However, if you become a bankrupt you will be stuck in your little island.
Hi RB, you wrote " But some Asian countries seem to have forgotten the depraved and cruel acts of the Japanese and are welcoming Japan to be their protector, or at least two countries have openly said so other than Vietnam and the Philippines. "
What about Singapore??
"Let us see if the grey area finally turn into black or white, or some other colour?"
Answer:
It will become white. Super white. 超级白 PAP!!! Go to hell.
Hi Redbean, I can see you are a strong supporter of this Roy Ngerng. He has got himself in hot soup and I understand he has apologised to your PM. However, his apology and his taking down his article were not enough and he has to answer in court. I guess this is the way of Singapore. Unless one has concrete proof one must not chinchye say or write. My advice to you is to be very careful what you post. You could post an innocent article, but in the eyes of the untouchables, it could be taken as an attack and in the hands of the super well paid lawyers, you could be in the same position as Roy Ngerng. BE CAREFUL.
In Singapore, say sorry also must explain.
BE CAREFUL.
June 01, 2014 6:23 pm
You also better BE CAREFUL.
Before PAP gets voted out faster than shit through a toilet bowl.
As senior citizens, we need to be more forgiving with the young. Young people are like all young people, they will learn the lessons of life. Give them a helping hand is the least we can do.
There is also the bigger issue of the people's CPF money. No one has the right to mess around with the people's life savings under any contorted explanations. There is no good explanations to keep the people's life savings without their consent. Absolutely no good reason. Anyone with a little conscience would not do such a thing.
"Hi Redbean, I can see you are a strong supporter of this Roy Ngerng. He has got himself in hot soup and I understand he has apologised to your PM. However, his apology and his taking down his article were not enough and he has to answer in court. I guess this is the way of Singapore. Unless one has concrete proof one must not chinchye say or write. My advice to you is to be very careful what you post. You could post an innocent article, but in the eyes of the untouchables, it could be taken as an attack and in the hands of the super well paid lawyers, you could be in the same position as Roy Ngerng. BE CAREFUL."
YOu are laughable... What proof are you talking about ? You don't need proof because it is powerless and useless against wallaby court, Yes-men and civil services and servants who are subservient and manipulated by the evil white. Time and time again we see how these white misabuse their power to turn white into black and black into white as they seem fit.
knnccb ...
defamtion?
how to proof?
are those accounts n books available for public scrutiny?
who r the auditors?
my words against your words?
my fists are bigger?
will relevant documents be produced during the legal proceeding?
knnccb .... what the colours of the rainbow?
Richard - red
Of - orange
York - yellow
Great - green
Battle - blue
In - indigo
Vain - violet
knnccb .... outcomes?? let me read my cup of tea leaves
Donation to Roy hits $50,000 in 3 days. This shows that Sinkies are turning into Singaporeans and standing behind Roy to fight for their CPF money.
@June 02, 2014 9:06 am
sikalee .... the releevant authoritee cum and ask ROY
"nee wu license to koret monee anot?"
"nee wu apply gst license bor?"
"nee wu proper documents bor?"
"nee wu independent checkers to verileefy koretion bor?"
"nee wu check wu bor foreign funds bor?"
"nu wu bor check wu bor laundry activities bor?"
knnccb .... so plentee wu bor. chio nan chin cunt khor
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