Thursday, May 04, 2006

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE IV: DEFUSING THE DEFAMATORY TIMEBOMB

Mention Singapore, and images of a squeaky clean, no-nonsense and aesthetically pleasant image of an android-like city comes to mind.

Such a boring image of a island nation changes, however: Just once in every five years, a relatively strange prototype of a timebomb is being tossed about like a hot potato amongst a small group of "riff-raffs" (i.e the Opposition Candidates).


DEFAMATORY TIMEBOMBS: DANGEROUS, THOUGH FAR LESS DEADLY
THE DEFAMATION TIMEBOMB
From Dr Chee's confrontations with regards to the NKF issue, to MM Lee's recent challenge for the Worker's Party to sue him, defamation timebombs have always been one of the highlights, or should I say, titbits, for watchers of this otherwise staid elections.

This time bomb doesn't exactly "kill" people. Well, at least not literally. It is a bomb tossed around during the eve of Elections by the ruling incumbent to the opposition parties, and depending on the circumstances involved, victims of this dastardly weapon are not blown into smithereens; instead, they get bitch-slapped so hard in the local courts that they soon find themselves sinking fast in the inevitable quagmire of bankruptcy.

The list of victims is impressive:


Tang Liang Hong: Left, with "bad-boy", James Gomez on his right

1. Tang Liang Hong: Candidate for Cheng San GRC, 1997

Faced 13 lawsuits from PAP ministers and MPs for remarks which they deemed to be "anti-Christian, chauvinistic, and dangerous".

J.B Jeyaretnam

2.Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam:

Ex-Worker's Party leader, first opposition leader in Parliament: Made bankrupt by the incumbent by a series of defamation lawsuits.


SINGAPORE'S NO 1 REBEL: DR CHEE SOON JUAN

3. Dr Chee Suan Juan:

Secretary-General of Singapore Democratic Party(SDP): Currently sued for allegedly defamatory remarks of government involvement in the NKF saga in his newsletter, "THE NEW DEMOCRAT".

For a nation deemed "First World" by its ruling incumbents, tossing legal lawsuits around during the elections period seem to be a move engineered by third world tyrants and despots. Of course, some would argue, our world class leaders are too highly paid to be compared to tyrants and despots, who, after all, aren't paid as much to terrorize their citizens.

In view of such standards of practice by our ruling incumbent, some folks from the charity sector may have copied this rather masterful means of subjugating dissent, albeit to cover their own dirty tracks, of course.

Now, Singaporeans have read and learnt about Mr Durai, former CEO of NKF, and his extravagant deeds. We also learnt that, like our ruling incumbent, any accusations of financial misappropriation, or any other form of accusation, will be dealt with by the rule of law in the form of defamation suits.

And our courts facilitate these lawsuits with the greatest of ease, too. Given the potentially financial-sapping effects of the defamatory timebomb, many have chosen to keep their mouths shut on the NKF issue. Brave souls who have the temerity to challenge Durai and his fat pockets tend to back off, finding themselves in a terrible quandary: Without the financial means nor time to fight a costly legal war with his legal tigers, there wasn't a chance they could hire legal counsel fit enough to challenge the impregnable behemoth in the courts. These unfortunate souls end up paying damages, legal costs of their tormentors and writing apology letters, to the approbation of TT Durai and his cohorts.

Now, we know better, thanks, no doubt, to Mr Durai's ambition to drop SPH holdings with his all-too-familiar defamation bomb, only to have it explode full-blast, and taking it in his face.

The truth is, the average man on the street doesn't have the legal expertise nor the final means to defuse this potentially deadly bomb. Hence, he is cowered into silence, because of this unseen threat. Even bloggers and netsurfers may not be immune to this indomitable piece of weapon. It is the ultimate weapon of terror for men who hide behind parties and institutions, and use them habitually against their opponents to instil a climate of fear amongst the general populace.

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF LEGAL THREATS: HEALTHY FOR NATION BUILDING?

With elections drawing closer by the hour, the question that should be in the minds of Singaporeans is this:

How detrimental is this legal culture of defamation, as fostered by the PAP and their ministers, have an impact on the integrity of Singapore?

Our ministers keep harping about garnering investor's confidence with a strong mandate, but how would this confidence come about without ensuring the integrity of government and commercial institutions?

Without even addressing to the voices of whistleblowers, institutions, such as the NKF, could become so hidden and corrupt under the radar screen of government and accounting legalities, that they are able to get away with their hideous deeds for who knows how many years on end.


TT DURAI, EX CEO OF NKF: THE POSTER BOY FOR THE CULTURE OF LEGAL THREATS?


How many of these hiding "Durais" do we need before the investors say, "enough is enough"? Statistics pertaining to how "corrupt-free" our country is wouldn't really matter in this case, if all the dirt that is generating from such money-siphoning activities are swept under the carpet.

It is to the national's benefit that people are allowed to question and query about the openness of government and commercial institutions, so as to minimize abuse of any sort.

An open society is one that operates on a personal, open dialogue between its leaders and its people. Free speech is a right, not a privilege, of the common citizen. It empowers the common people, and gives them a sense of duty and responsibility that says:"Hey, this is my country. I am responsible for what ultimately becomes of her." Instead of political apathy, our leaders should be fostering a culture of political awareness.

Fostering a culture of legal lawsuits will only provide a front for the likes of Durai to blatantly carry out their illegal activities, with little to stand in their way.


posted by BEAST FCD @ 5/04/2006 10:16:00 PM

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