I am surprised that Lee Hsien Loong chose to remind us of the 1997 shameful episode when he, his father and nine other PAP ministers and MPs filed 13 law suits against Tang Liang Hong for defamation. The PAP plaintiffs had called Tang an “anti-Christian Chinese chauvinist” at an election rally. Tang who is tri-lingual and an Indian dancer in his youth was naturally angered and demanded an apology and retraction of the false allegations. What followed was disastrous for Tang. He claimed he was harassed by plain clothes officers and was worried for his safety.
The late Mr Francis T. Seow wrote a detailed account of the tragedy that befell Tang in his book, BEYOND SUSPICION? THE SINGAPORE JUDICIARY. I recommend anyone who is interested to know about this episode and how the PAP destroys political opponents to read this extremely well written book.
Lee and the other plaintiffs were awarded $3.63 million upon appeal. Tang’s house which was in the name of his wife was ultimately sold to pay the judgement debt and he himself had to flee Singapore. Tang was subsequently made a bankrupt. So why is Lee Hsien Loong so proud of his role in destroying Tang Liang Hong?
In the past few days, we hear daily warnings from the PAP? Reduced mandate a bad for Singapore? Foreigners are attempting to instigate racial and religious disharmony? To this so called threat, all opposition leaders must be asked by journalists if they object to foreign interference. Even after they have all more or less agreed that they do not need foreign assistance, Lee Hsien Loong had to accuse them of their silence before MHA and IMDA’s blocked some sites alleged to have interfered in this GE.
I said before and I say again. I read some Facebook posts of Fikra Siyasah before it was blocked. I do not agree that the writer attempted to stir up religious and racial issues. I admit that I have not read any postings of the other two persons who are also accused by the government of attempting to interfere in Singapore’s politics. But I can say that I am used to hearing such allegations by PAP ministers.
In 1987, they accused four Catholic priests of mixing religion with politics. The priests have denied those allegations. But the Catholic Church was terrified and the priests had to leave Singapore for a while. Anyone interested in this mixing religion with politics can read 1987 SINGAPORE’S MARXIST CONSPIRACY 30 YEARS ON and PRIEST IN GEYLANG.
The PAP is very good at making false allegations and damaging the good name of people they dislike or fear. I was accused of mixing my work with the Singapore Law Society with politics in the 1980s. Back then, Lee Kuan Yew warned every professional body not to mix their work with politics, as if all the professional bodies have become sworn enemies of the state and fierce political opponents!
I have lived long enough to know the tactics of the PAP when their power is threatened.
Now they are telling us that it will be quite disastrous if some ministers lose their seats. So? I will be very happy if half of the ministers lose their seats. They can easily be replaced. This is not the concern of voters. We vote whoever is deserving of our vote!
Teo Soh Lung
