4/22/2015
Amos Yee – A few good men
Amos Yee was remanded, and remained in Changi Prison for 4 days as reported in the ST, when his parents failed to bail him out. It was like the end of the world. Without M Ravi, there seems to be no lawyers left in this island. And all the activists and human rights groups too were not anywhere to be found. It must be a very uncomfortable moment when hope has gone on sabbatical. Just when the people were lost as to what to do, looking around but no one is there to lend a helping hand to this child, despair and fear crept in.
And the ever efficient, uncompromising and professional police, knowing how dangerous this boy is, or how serious the charges are, made sure that he would not be up to any mischief anymore. The boy was handcuffed and his legs shackled, this one reported in the main media but no photographs, the images of Guantanamo flashed through my mind, and taken to court to hear the charges.
Below is copied from an article in TRE.
‘3 charges have been leveled against Amos under Section 298 and Section 292(1)(a) of the Penal Code, and Section 4(1)(b) of the Protection from Harassment Act:
Penal Code
Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious or racial feelings of any person
298. Whoever, with deliberate intention of wounding the religious or racial feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person, or makes any gesture in the sight of that person, or places any object in the sight of that person, or causes any matter however represented to be seen or heard by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years, or with fine, or with both.
Sale of obscene books, etc.
292. (1) Whoever -
(a) sells, lets to hire, distributes, transmits by electronic means, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, transmission, public exhibition or circulation, makes, produces, or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure, or any other obscene object whatsoever;
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine, or with both.
Protection from Harassment Act (2014)
Harassment, alarm or distress
4. (1) No person shall by any means -
(a) use any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour; or
(b) make any threatening, abusive or insulting communication,
which is heard, seen or otherwise perceived by any person (referred to for the purposes of this section as the victim) likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and, subject to section 8, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.’
These are very serious charges. As the door was closing down on this boy, 3 lawyers appeared from no where to act on behalf of the boy on pro bono basis. And a good Christian counselor, or an ‘activist’ as reported in the main media, wondering what that word connotes, came out with the bail. Vincent Law, a family and youth counselor, said, ‘I am a Christian and it seems that the charge said that he made disparaging remarks against Christianity. I’m a Christian and I’m stepping up to say that I’m not offended. I’m also a parent and I feel for his parents.’ It is good that a Christian stood up to show that they have nothing against the boy and Amos is a boy and is forgiven. Hope this would settle the offending remarks against the Christian community and no Christians or Christians would come out to say their feelings are hurt or they felt harassed.
The 3 lawyers representing Amos Yee are Alfred Dodwell, Chong Jia Hao and Ervin Tan. Their position is that Amos is a boy and he has the right to be defended in the court of law to get a fair hearing. It is so refreshing to know that there are still some good men around to give a helping hand in times of desperation. What a relief for Amos, for his parents and for Singapore and Singaporeans to see that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. In the darkest hour, there is hope, there is God. And there is justice and righteousness. Hope I am not wrong on this.
A few good men, commanded by their conscience, have stood out to come to the aid of a hapless boy facing incredible odds, fighting for his freedom alone against the machinery of the state and the rule of law.
This boy really needs all the help available. God, your helping hand is needed to see that justice is done.
PS. Thought of posting this tomorrow but so many things are happening.
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28 comments:
Those holier than thou of all religions will feel offended even by the slightest remarks on their religions.
In their minds praying to same, they still have the secular mind of I am more holy so must take action when I give opinions.
Like I long service, I manager you clerk!!
Only needs their Maker to wake them and banish to Eternal H......
What is an "activist"?
Isn't an "activist" better than a "Millionaire Politician" sitting around doing nothing and collecting taxpayers' money?
"And a good Christian counselor, or an ‘activist’ as reported in the main media, wondering what that word connotes, came out with the bail."
redbean
An activist is a bad word to the establishment.
What kind of people would authorise putting handcuffs and leg shackles on a boy?
Handcuffed and shackled? Again I think the Singapore police has overplayed this. The world will now know how the Singapore Police Force treats any who are accused. The 16 year old boy is not going to escape and run away, so why the handcuff and shackle? How ridiculous!!!
Living in this very crowded tiny city state is extremely interesting and extremely exciting.
I love it!
Everyday is a fresh day. So many things happening and fresh news everyday.
Just to name a few. There are "ponding"/flooding problems, rats problems, CPF issues, mrt breakdowns, fake degrees/PhDs and the Roy and Amos cases, etc etc etc!
This city state is always very very very busy, never SLEEPS!
To me....如果在这里不是天堂 哪里是天堂 !
Cheers.
It has never been a case of Amos' attack on religion.
Those who say so are not truthful and masked the their main reason of Amos' attack of their other diving being.
After all, Amos' mention of religion was less than 1% of the whole video.
I didn't know there is such a stupid law that you can be charged for hurting the feelings of people, one of the charges Amos faces
@ RB:
>> God, your helping hand is needed to see that justice is done.
When you write SHIT like that, you really disparage the goodness of the people (human beings) who, by their own voluntary action, and using their own resources to help.
Humans helping humans. Please lah, give credit where it is due.
However the attribution of "magical goodness" to an IMAGINARY being is common: in hospitals when the medical staff have worked hard have saved lives, the first thing the fucking families do is "Thank god", when 1st responders RISK THEIR LIVES to rescue victims of catastrophe the relatives and friends "thank god". What the fucking fuck lah?!?
The Singapore law is very clear. In particular, The Harassment Act guarantees that there can NEVER BE freedom of speech and expression in Singapore. Not now, not EVER.
That means that if you are disenfranchised, any complaint---especially in assigning blame---can be interpreted as "harassment". If someone owes you money, you cannot threaten them with legal consequences because that is "harassment".
Most of the "bad laws" like ISA detention without due process, Death Penalty, sedition, Section 377 anti sodomy, have been "hijacked" by the PAP from the British.
Those of you who mistakingly believe that voting the opposition into power is going to change things, be warned: BAD LAW has a habit of hanging around even when new political parties enter the govt. They are almost never repealed.
All the statutes cited by redbean are VERY BAD LAWS, because they deal with THOUGHT CRIMES. Also "intent" is very difficult to prove. It is a NASTY legal precedent because it forces the court into being OMNISCIENT MIND READERS in order to make judgement.
I see no chance. Singapore courts are known to adhere strictly to the letter of the law. Once in awhile a judge or magistrate will use their own judgement to interpret the "spirit" of the law, but the present AG is known for screwing lawyers (when he was a judge) to "uphold the law they're sworn to uphold".
Amos case is fait accompli. It doesn't take a genius or legal scholar to arrive at a judgement under the statutes he's charged under.
The best his legal team can do is plea for light sentencing, and hopefully the court will also understand and give a light or suspended sentence.
Again this is not up to some imaginary "god". It is purely up to the people involved---not their compassion, or kindness or pity, but their REASON and UNDERSTANDING of human nature and that ideas and "feelings" don't have nor need rights to protection, but HUMANS and their ability to express DO.
Who needs these rights the most?
The WEAKEST members in the society, that's who.
The weakest in the society cannot rely on a non-existent "god" to protect them in their most vulnerable states (for e.g. whistle blowers) when they need to express themselves WITHOUT FEAR, WITHOUT COERCION.
They need their RIGHTS and proper laws enforced properly by people of skill and authority, so that in time, one would hope that EVERYONE in Singapore can be free to express even the most controversial opinions WITHOUT FEAR, and with complete protection by The Rule Of Law.
The whole nation is watching!
The whole nation is WAITING!
The whole WORLD is watching!
"It is so refreshing to know that there are still some good men around to give a helping hand in times of desperation."
RB
But why must be these good men and not those WP MPs, some of whom are also lawyers?
And why as usual WP MPs are silent on such matters? What are they in opposition for?
GE maybe held within 24 hours if more surprises spring up day by day and slow the heartbeats of the MIWs
This Matilah is a lawyer?
Dear PAPigs
Do Yew know what Yew are doing anymore?
Is it time to start serving Singaporeans instead of your own selfish self interest?
"Do the right thing"
Tan Cheng Bock.
Do Yew even know what the right thing is anymore?
You want answers? You can't handle the truth!
In an ideal world, there is God, justice and equality. In the real world, such things are myths. In almost every country, the ruling elites are oppressing the mass population. The difference lies with the extent.
He is an aspiring Alvin Tan. Most likely will end up seeking refuge in usa and hence escaping ns.
All warfare is base on deception
Where the fook is William kindness Wan ? Show yourself will you. This is a great opportunity to show what your kindness movement is all about ! Remain in hiding & people will think you are nothing but a PorLamPar !
The Christians are not offended. So we can deduce that all those who reported to the Police about the video must be offended by Amos remarks about their other 'God.'
Which raise the question if politicians can be criticised and if it is ruled they could be. then Amos Yee's charge on that should be not stand.
That this case shows that there are many who are intolerant of different opinions from them and the State (Police and AGC) agree with them
CAUTION:
1. Don't be too happy too early. Check the background of these lawyers.
2. Where in the Whole Wide World have you ever heard of lawyers come out with a lengthy public statement (NOT in favour of the accused) in order to defend an accused?
3. Their lengthy public statement is more to defend themselves, instead of defending the accused, Amos Yee.
4. Paragraph 9: "We would state categorically that we – the Defence Counsel – disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted." This is as good as admitting that Amos Yes is guilty of the alleged charges brought forth upon him, even before the Court proceedings and Final Judgement of the Judges.
5. Paragraph 10. "In relation to the specific duties we will undertake, we will be doing the following for Amos Yee –
(a) To advise him on the conditions on bail and to undertake a review of the bail and its conditions that have been imposed on him;
(b) To advise him on the procedural laws pertaining to the criminal justice system and the substantive laws pertaining to the 3 charges levied against him;
(c) To advise him on the most appropriate course of action – be it pleading guilty or claiming trial – bearing in mind that it is the right of the accused person to claim trial and have the prosecution prove its case;
(d) To advise him on the sentencing options including those that specifically deal with young offenders."
This paragraph 10 spelt out clearly what The 3 "Kindly" Musketeers are going to do for Amos Yee.
I, therefore, advise that Amos Yee should think wisely and deeply before biting the bait.
The 3 good men are under scrutiny for their intent in TRE after they came up with a statement explaining why they are defending Amos. In the statement netizens are questioning why they had to say this,
'9. We would state categorically that we – the Defence Counsel – disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted.'
And also they were saying that they were there to 'advise' Amos, and no mentioning of defending him.
Is this material, normal?
@ "defenceless" anons:
Fact of life: Lawyers will always cover their ass. Under the statutes, there is no question about Amos's "guilt" There is no way out lah.
The Singapore laws in this case can be used to fuck anyone up. Even the small matter of scolding someone "kah nee nah" in a momentary state of exasperation or frustration (quite common in stressful Singapore) can land you in front of a magistrate looking at a $5000 fine. Under the Anti Harassment law, even the smallest slight can be blown up into a police and then a legal case.
The "defence" here is to defend the accused rights to PROPER due process, and probably to offer the court some form of "mitigation" in order to convince the judge to go easy on the sentencing.
Singapore: Rule of Law prevails. Don't fuck around.
Matilah Singh, the top lawyer in blog dishing out his legal wisdom.
@ 1039:
Please lah, my "wisdom" (if it does exist) is all ILLEGAL type lah.
Do I have to remind cheebyes like you that I write "opinion"? Apparently so!
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