讀了慧思的《專訪陳亞才》後記

慧思用樸實的文筆敘述亞才的故事，卻給我帶來深深的感動，尤其是亞才對吉隆坡古跡保護的堅持。亞才的精神，讓我相信堅持是一種美，也是一種意義。

或許，我對吉隆坡的認識還不夠深，所以無法充分欣賞它。過去（甚至是現在）在我腦海印象里，它是一個過度發展、沒太規劃好、高樓聳立的鋼骨森林大都市。每當外州人或外國人問起我從哪裡來，我都刻意不說我來自吉隆坡（雖然客觀事實我是對的）。我出生於巴生，在沙亞南和梳邦長大，說我是雪蘭莪人應該沒人質疑。吉隆坡甚至曾是雪州的一部分。但巴生河流域的發展與吉隆坡的向外發展乃息息相關，梳邦市也是吉隆坡外圍的一個衛星市。我可能很難抽離吉隆坡對我居住地方的影響。

吉隆坡近20年來的發展迅速，發展速度快到很多地方的面貌都已無法從兒時記憶裡辨認出來。有人說檳城馬六甲的古跡保護工作難做，讀了亞才的專訪才體會到要在發展蓬勃的吉隆坡大都市大談保護古跡幾乎是螳臂擋車(或用英文來說，a lost cause)。畢竟發展主義的思維遍佈大眾，是主流價值觀。要逆流而上扭轉這種價值觀和提倡永續性發展，實屬吃力不討好。這讓我更加敬佩這位社運前輩，同時也與他一起努力改變這國家社會。雖然俗氣一點，我還是要說，不是因為看到希望而堅持，而是堅持為了看到希望。

說起來，我認識他時，我還是初中生辯論員。他幾乎出現在大大小小的州級辯論比賽擔任評判。我印象深刻的是他專業分析和淵博知識。他讓我相信，一位學者要學以致用貢獻社會，就不能只顧關在象牙塔或冷氣房內，必須身體力行參與能影響、改變和動員大眾的社會運動。惟有這樣，學識和運動才能發揮最佳作用和效果，變得更有意義。

On land reclamation

Penang is not Singapore. The limitation of land size of the Penang Island is true, but that is a weak argument. The main factor for the land reclamation on the part of the contentious area on the Island is driven by greed of the housing developers.Penang Island does have more land on the other side of the island (Balik Pulau) but the development in that area in recent years cannot pick up because of weak demand. So, naturally developers do not consider investing in that part of land.

However, The North-East coast Islander centric view of what should constitute as a proud Penangite does more harm than good, fuel the demand for housing units in this already densed and congested area.

It is not the issue that the mainland Seberang Perai does not have land for development, why Penangites should allow the controversial land reclaimation projects to go on and alter the environment and the biodiversity altogether? If you said the government should think about the long term benefits, sure the government must also think about the long term cost.

Singapore did it out of their necessity, so the question is, does Penang really come to that point already while Penang still has the Mainland Seberang Perai and west coast in the island? Why so proud about the Singapore model, while Penang still has something that Singapore has long lost: the biodiversity and the prestine nature in the hills and seas (despite declining rapidly these days because of so-called 'development')? Singapore is willing to compromise their heritage buildings for development, does Penang willing to do so on George Town too?

Some Penangites tend to forget to treasure what they already possess. It is not that I do not want Development, but the development must be balanced and sustainable. That is why the state government's role is crucial in the urban planning. Do you see people protesting too much over the development in Batu Kawan? No, I think that is a good move for the state government to shift the focus on the mainland and create more job opportunities. What some Penangites need to do is, to change the 'North-east coast Islander superiority' complex.

Dear Mr Jeyaratnam...

This personal open letter to Mr JBJ from Dr Chee Soon Juan made me tearly when first read it. Then again it made me, when I was watching the rally speech video Dr Chee dedicated especially to his late comrade JBJ.

Both Mr JBJ and Dr Chee are patriots. They are real democracy and freedom fighters. Dr Chee reminds me very much of our own Anwar Ibrahim, whom he is already 200+ days languished in jail as a result of a political motivated sentence. Anwar has been fighting too since 1997, and still keep fighting from jail at the age of 68.

Dr Chee's grit, determination and persistent advocating for democracy, makes him a truly outstanding person in Singapore. He could have, like Anwar was once offered, a chance to live in exile and live a good life at overseas with his family.

He chose not to, but came back to Singapore and keep fighting for the people with the values he believes which are good for the society. Nowadays virtues , beliefs and principles hardly worth anything in a capitalist society which always seek to maximise profits and trade benefits. Therefore, these qualities are hard to come by. You will only see how determined one holds on to his/her beliefs and principles when the person is challenged and tested over time.

Dr Chee never gives up, despite numerous arrests made to his name. In the past 25 years, he was seen in and out of police stations, courts and jail. MSM tarnished his reputation and image , the authorities intended to destroy him personally. Even at his bleakest moment when he was sued and found guilty for the defamation suit until declared a bankrupcy, that did not take away his struggle and his will to speak up. He is a consistent proponent for democracy. He challenged unjust laws, and compassionately care for his people and the society.

(*Please watch the once-banned-documentary film about his struggles, entitled 'Singapore Rebel'. It was filmed a decade ago by Martyn See. Those quotes he said before, are still used by him until today. He is that consistent. That is why how sad I watched Mr. JBJ , together with many other previous opposition figures had to suffer from the ill and harsh-treatment by the state, and especially by the one 'great' man.)

People probably do not appreciate the values and the meaning of democracy and liberty until they get to fully enjoy that. After that, trust me, they will never want to go back to the one-party authoritarian state.

You can go ask any Indonesian, South Korean , Taiwanese and East German, no matter how prosperous were once their good old time under some of their past 'great' leaders, do they want to go back to the old system and give up their freedom and democratic spaces? I can assure, you will find a emphatic resounding 'No' as the reply.

Even the political parties in these countries inherited from the past, already transformed themselves into a democratic one. Still the pro-Suharto candidate for the last presidential election in Indonesia, Probowo Subianto, did not win. Jokowi is the real popular choice, a symbol of new politics.

I have reasons to believe that Dr Chee will support any democratic social movements in the world, including the Bersih movement. He will not paint Bersih 4.0 the same brush like Mr Lee Hsien Loong did this afternoon (Mr. Lee likened Bersih as a racial "non-Malay" rally to the upcoming 916 red-shirt rally). I also hope that Dr. Chee could speak up for Anwar and ask for his immediate release after the GE.

I wish him and his party all the best, and I hope to see them in the parliament of Singapore.

聽好，我們不是沉默的大多數

一而再，再而三，現在四。不放棄才有希望。

我覺得自己已是個Bersih老鳥。過去我在海外的三個不同的地點和國家見證了Bersih運動的成長。沒錯，我曾協助參與策劃倫敦Bersih 1.0 以及 柏林Bersih 3.0的集會遊行, 同時也以遊客身份參與了巴黎Bersih 2.0。今時不同往日，八年就這樣飛逝，現在來到了Bersih 4.0。我也已從海外歸來，即將首次踩在自己的國土上，與十萬人以上一起在首都吉隆坡遊行要求制度改革（和納吉首相下台）

幾天前，杜乾煥博士向我求助關於Powerpoint上的技術問題。眼尖的我發現一張歷史性照片出現在他的其中一張幻燈片里…那就是倫敦Bersih 1.0集會的大合照。我興奮地向他指出我在那相片的位置。他似乎沒察覺到我的存在。轉眼間就8年了。如果你問我，凈選盟運動對這國家社會到底有沒有帶來什麼改變，我會回答：有，顯著且深遠的改變。

你們或許不諳當年的政治氣候如何，即使我在自由國度如英國依然可感受到強權政府賦予人民的緊箍咒。當時我在Malaysian Hall和我大學《大馬之夜》會場外派發Bersih宣傳單的情景還歷歷在目。不多人敢接觸我們，甭說接受黃色傳單。有些人看到我們好像看到鬼這樣，盡量避開躲遠遠。一些還反復地念著咒語般：’no politics, no politics…’, 期望這樣就可以‘避邪’打發我們。還有一些領了傳單，掃描了沒幾秒鐘內容後，就直接把它送往最靠近的垃圾桶。《大馬之夜》的負責人甚至親自下來警告我們，說如果我們不走他會叫保安。我告訴他，去吧，這裡大學是公共的地方，我有權和自由派發傳單。再況且我們沒有阻止人出席他的節目。

很明顯的在那個時候，當我公開談起政治，我可以感受到海外大馬同胞的恐懼和冷感。那些還留在國內的更不用說了。當時Global Bersih還沒成立與註冊，環球沒有多少城市參與集會。所以，當年倫敦那場的出席率不超過30人，對我們來說已經非常鼓舞人心，難能可貴了。這說明仍有人在強權的淫威籠罩下，依然主動關心國內時事局勢，膽敢站出來表達立場。

如果說Bersih 1.0 沒有突破，那麼我們就無法見證2008年十二屆全國大選後的政治海嘯。眾多的民間運動鼓舞了公眾，同時加強了他們對民主自由和公正的信念。公民力量一直都是我國社會進步的基礎。在野黨陣線在大選中大有斬獲，因為他們趕上了國民醒覺和改革浪潮。如果不是Bersih,我們大概也沒機會看到大批能幹、專業和有理想人士加入和壯大在野黨陣線。他們確實相信他們能對國家有所貢獻，有機會改變這個國家。那五個在大選中政權替換的州屬，已成為了這些有志之士的培訓之地，作為未來執政中央的準備。

通過Bersih 2.0，我們見證了一個新的馬來西亞誕生。人民已跨越了族群宗教年齡性別的界限，不分彼此地聚集在吉隆坡和世界各地，向政府施壓喊話要求改革。愛取代了恐懼和偏見。‘人民主權’就這麼定調，人民不再害怕當權者。無數次的恐嚇對人民已失去了作用；警方使用的暴力譬如催淚彈、水炮車，和棒棍人身攻擊等，都無法擊敗人民要求改變的意志。那些過去的鎮壓動作，已不管用了。我們人民之間的弟兄姐妹情結已建成一道堅固的牆，那時我們也共同找到了一個新的國家。

Bersih 3.0 更推到了一個新高，出席率是迄今公民運動遊行之最，也是人民強大力量的展現。這賦予人民希望，政府不改就決心要換政府。認為執政者已失去信用不得民心的大有人在。參與民運的人，都想要Ubah，那是不爭的事實。

沒錯，當權者選擇不聆聽民聲，虛情假意兜兜轉轉，最後依然我行我素不改革開放。他們說要這個國家需要轉型最後只有錢在轉來轉去，帶到了十三屆大選孤注一擲大玩一場。結果他們失去了全國總票數，再丟失了多幾個國會和州議席，但依然老神在在地掌握中央政權，只因贏得了不相等的席位。這正是不公平的選區劃分和不干淨的選民冊的結果。現在我們又得知賄選也是一大因素。這個政權早已失去了正當性。51%投選反對陣線（民聯）的人民極度失望。隨後大家進入了一段憂鬱低潮期。現在隨著勁爆的巨額貪污醜聞層出不窮，政治昏暗亂象和經濟低迷失控，我們又振作起來了。

目前我們非常清楚，首相兼巫統主席納吉挪用了大約26億令吉注入自己的銀行戶頭，並用這些錢來資助自黨的政治生存之戰。那筆賄選錢或足以改變了大選成績。那是一個被偷走的大選成績。更讓人民生氣的是，直到如今，淨選盟之前提出的8條訴求，竟沒一條已成功改革。政府機關偏頗失靈到那種地步，我們得自己國家自己救。這就是為什麼這次我們非得上街不可，並加上我們的新訴求，就五條：1）乾淨選舉，2）廉潔政府，3）拯救經濟，4）異議權利，和5）加強國會議會民主。我們要這個集會遊行再創新高以示民意。這把強大的聲音，我們要直接傳達給納吉，且讓全世界知道納吉的虛偽貪婪和無能。

上一場Bersih 3.0，我還在德國。雖然我所居住的城市距離300公里以外，我自薦負責統籌柏林的那場集會。那時出席者大約30位左右，包括幾位來自他國的友善支持。現在已回國的我，看到德國再次出現在Global Bersih 4.0版圖上有三座城市響應支持。各別代表德國北中南部，它們是：漢堡、科隆和慕尼黑。讓我覺得他們很厲害的地方是他們竟然已印上了他們城市名字的戰衣。他們甚至已有人安排交通從斯圖加特載人到科隆。

這次回到自己的國土，我更沒理由不上街。上街是我的公民義務。就如香港著名學運領袖黃之鋒所說的：“從來不是看到希望才堅持，而是堅持才會看到希望”。的確，事到如今我們沒有絕望的權利。無論能否看到立即的政改效果，我們都必須站出來，用軀體表達我們的立場。我們的出席人數，是執政者唯一能看得懂的語言和數字。只有我們都傾巢而出走上街頭，政府才不能老是說‘沉默的大多數’依然支持他們。這就是為何我堅持，我們一定不可保持沉默！我們就是多數，我們的聲音就是主流：我們要自己動手把垃圾掃除，還我乾淨的國家！

We are not the ‘silent majority’

I consider myself a veteran Bersih kaki. It is not that I had involved myself organising all those events in the past. Not too bad, I helped organise the Bersih London 1.0 and Bersih Berlin 3.0, participated the Bersih Paris 2.0. This time it is surely different. 8 years have passed, now comes Bersih 4.0, and I will be there joining the Bersih rally for the first time in my homeland, stepping on my home soil demanding for CHANGE together with hundred thousands of people.

Few days ago, Dr Toh asked me for technical help on the powerpoint, and I saw a historic picture he put in his slides… the Bersih London 1.0 rally. I was so excited and pointed to him that I was in the picture. Dr Toh also did not realise. 8 years ago, if you ask me if Bersih movement has changed the nation, I would say, very significantly.

You probably do not know what was the political climate back then. Even I was in the free land such as United Kingdom, I can still feel the spells casted by our mighty government to our own citizens abroad. I remember so vividly distributing flyers in front of the Malaysian Hall and at the entrance of Malaysian Night event venue in Imperial College London. Back in those days, very few people would dare to accept the yellow flyers from us. They tried to avoid us at best that they could when we approached them, like they saw ghost or any awful thing you could imagine. Some of them kept murmuring the spell: 'No politics, no politics...' hoping that would repel (the ghost of) us. Some took the flyers, scanned through just few seconds then chucked it away in the nearest bin. Even the organiser of that Malaysian Night event came down and threatened me that he would call the security guys, but I told him to go ahead because I have the freedom and right of giving flyers in public places such as (my own) university.

Clearly, I could see the fear and apathy when fellow Malaysians at overseas talking about politics, let alone those still living in the homeland. Back in those days Global Bersih was not yet established, not many cities around the world involved in the rally. The turnout for the rally in London was moderate (not more than 30) but I felt encouraged. This is because it shows that there were still people who care and bold enough to make a stand and express their thoughts.

If Bersih 1.0 was not a breakthrough, then we would not see the political tsunami in 2008 after GE12. The empowerment of the public by the civil movements is the foundation for better Malaysia. It always is. Opposition political parties were doing well because they rode on the waves of enlightenment and uprising sparked by many social movements back then. If not for Bersih, we would not see more capable, professional and/or idealistic members of society joined the opposition political parties, because they see fit to contribute, aspire to get their hands dirty to make a change to our nation. The 5 states which fell to the opposition coalition (now the defunct Pakatan Rakyat), were the training ground for these new politicians into governance.

In Bersih 2.0, we witnessed a new nation born, where people crossed the boundaries of ethnicity, religion, age and gender, gathered for the rally in KL and around the world. Love replaced fear and discrimination. 'Ketuanan Rakyat' was cemented; we people fear no government and authorities. the countless threats hurled by the authorities against us Malaysians gone in vain; physical assaults by the police such as tear gas, water cannon, batton beating and arrests, did not break people's determination for change; the lines that used to divide and segregate us according to skin colours and creeds, worked no more. The brother-sisterhood bonding was formed, that was when a new nation was found.

Bersih 3.0 was pushed to a new height, when the number of turnout was historic. That was the biggest street rally ever, the people's power was once again showcased. This cultivated the hope that people could see a change of government, because they think the current administration was losing the credibility to govern, simultaneously also losing the people's confidence and support. Many ordinary people from all walks of life took part in various civil movements and activities, bidding the hope to 'Ubah'.

It is true that the authorities did not seem to heed the calls for 8 demands and obviously turned their deaf ear to the collective voices of Bersih supporters and reform-minded citizens. They carried on their pretence and hollow promises to 'tranform' the country, into the GE13. Despite effort in massive vote-buying, they lost the share of popular votes, and conceded more parliament seats. They hung on to the power by sheer majority number of seats they won. Of course, the 51% rakyat were deeply disappointed and that depressed the civil movements for quite some period of time. But now no more.

This is clear by now that the UMNO president and Prime Minister Najib Razak embezzled fund amounting to RM2.6billion to his own personal account, and used that to fund the political survival campaign for his party. Thanks to WSJ, Sarawak Report and other whistleblowers, now we know what they did. That amount of the illegal funding perhaps had made all the difference to the final outcome in the last GE. That was the 'stolen General Election'.

All to the frustration of our people, none of the 8 demands were met. That is why we have to march once more, and take our new demands to the streets. Not many we demand this time, just five. We want: 1) clean elections, 2) clean governance, 3) saving the economy, 4) right to dissent, and 5) strengthening the parliamentary democracy system. We want this rally to be massive so that stronger message can be delivered directly to Mr Najib. We want real institutional reforms and not your wishy-washy promises on reform! …and can you please step down, because we know that you are one of the biggest obstacles for reform. Your Transformasi is not only useless, but makes the country worse!

The last Bersih 3.0 in Berlin, I helped organise the rally. It was attended by some 30-40 participants, including several members from international support for the Bersih cause.

Now I am no more in Germany, still impressed by the fact that there are 3 german cities appeared on the Global Bersih 4.0 map. What is more awesome, is that they have even printed their own rally t-shirts, and arranged transportation for people coming from Stuttgart to Köln.

Now back to my homeland, there is no reason that I do not make myself present on the KL streets this Saturday. This has become my civil duty and obligation. Just like what Joshua Wong, the prominent student activist from Hong Kong, famously said: “It is not because of the hope we persist, but we persist to find hope”. Please do not despair. The time is now, we have to make a stand. Only when we all go out to streets this weekend, the government can no longer say ‘the silent majority’ are still with them. That is exactly why we should NOT stay silent, and be counted. We people are the majority, and we want this country Bersih!

抗議丘光耀的鴨霸文化

我宣佈與我的同道友人同一陣線，與丘光耀切割。有些事情真的是可忍孰不可忍。首先，我向《火箭報》請辭，退寫專欄。（我自行公佈我書寫的內容）

“渼沄社長，

你好！我想在此正式向您請辭。很抱歉，我決定不再寫《火箭報》的專欄了。

不知您有沒注意到，近期發生了很多是非。我退寫專欄，是為了抗議丘光耀先生近期的過分言行。他人身攻擊和污衊我的同道朋友。他們當中很多是中文或多語評論人。我與他們同在。

我求去的決定與您和行動黨無關。我感謝您這些日子以來給予我的支持和特別是您的耐心。

我也想順便說，丘光耀做了很壞的示範。他不純粹理性地批評別人，而是以各種難聽的稱號掛在他人身上。（想象一下連您的友黨人民公正黨也被他稱為‘公廁黨’，您還能怎樣與友黨合作？）

斗臭污衊文化不應該是行動黨的文化。他如此繼續狂傲自大、污衊攻擊友黨和同道人下去，將使他人對行動黨留下不良印象然後敬而遠之。這不利於進步的反對運動。我也擔心他龐大的粉絲團會也隨著共舞，受到不良影響。在此，我希望您能向行動黨高層反映，以正視聽。

希望我的決定不會給您帶來很大麻煩，也希望您能順利地找到人替補我留下的空缺。謝謝！

志翰”

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行動黨的人才濟濟，我相信《火箭報》很快就能找到合適的作者，更加符合他們要的黨報路線。我本身不厲害寫，所以不希望是他們黨報節節上升銷售量的阻力，更不要背負著罪名（臭名）。

我的朋友們，南發、宏祥、迪澎和進發等皆被光耀一而再再而三地以惡名謾罵嘲諷。那些嘲諷攻擊他人身份和性別取向的言論，不是評論或批評，而是人身攻擊。那不是健康理性的討論文化，我實在難以苟同。身為博士的他應引以為恥，奉勸他別再教壞細路仔和粉絲。

還有，這樣品行的人，我已unfriend了（說明他不是我的朋友）。但我會follow他，會繼續觀察他的言行作風。

Democracy does not solve the problems, but the people do

It is not that Democracy solves the problems, but the people who solve the problems. Who are the people? the citizens. We should take the collective responsibility for the decision we have made, and we want to make sure that, even if it is a mistake, there will always be a avenue or mechanism to correct that in future. In that sense, Democracy is not the solution but the best auto-correct tool.

Democracy is not only about the voting rights. Participatory democracy is what really gives meaning to democracy. The institutions should empower the people to actively participate in the decision making for many important aspects of life in the society, but not discourage or limit people’s ability to do so.

We shall not just vote and then leave it all to the government to do whatever they please with the so-called mandate (that is just a form of ‘representative democracy’). In a mature democratic society, the government should be the government of the people, by the people and for the people. So, by right, People = Government, and people are not there just to serve the government's agenda. People should decide the fate of the country, so the government’s policies should match with majority wishes and responsive to the people’s voices and concerns.

A healthy democracy should include a strong and vocal civil society, especially with thriving and fearless NGOs. Repressive laws which restrict people’s freedom and rights to watch over government’s doing, should be repelled. Otherwise, who dare to give honest and constructive criticisms without getting the backlash from the authorities? The government should be transparent enough for the people to assess their performance, analyse and criticise their policies. Look at Roy Ngerng’s case, then you could understand why it is unhealthy for the state resorted to legal action rather than to engage him in the open debate/discussion about the issue of CPF, a practice which is done in many mature democratic societies.

There should be more checks and balances, and it should not just be the job of opposition parties to perform that but the whole society. To make checks and balances more effective, press freedom should be allowed. The ranking of Singapore by the Reporters without Borders is consistently low, it tells us something about the press freedom in Singapore. Some clauses in Newspaper and Printing Presses Act of 1974, just prevented the exercise of that freedom. Read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_of_Singapore#Newspapers
(if what is written in the Wikipedia section is not true about the Act, please correct me). And noteworthy also to mention that the directive from the Media Development Authority on 1 June 2013 to ‘regulate’ internet by requiring Singapore websites to register for yearly renewable licence and post a ‘performance bond’ worths SGD50k (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Singapore...).

If we cannot have the spirit of ‘People are the boss’ but still treat government as the boss, then we cannot control our own fate or have our say. Winston Churchill once famously said “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried.” Sure there is a loss of efficiency in democracy because of the slow process of informing the citizens, getting the consents and approvals from them. My tutor Chin Huat once taught me that Democracy is the best kind of insurance: Authoritarian regime could outperform the democratic one at times, but in the long run, for example, once the ‘bright’ leader passed away or the system is no longer responsive to people’s needs and wants, then Democracy can save us from the worst form of despot, tyranny and/or corruption (remember the quote, “power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely”). At least when politics is in everyone’s collective business, we all would care and not leave to someone else to decide for us – that is the value what democracy should have taught us.

出家

J: 哈哈，（要）看破红尘的话，（我）就不成功了。要去出家了。

Me: 哈哈，我每天都出家....只是....我有回家而已 xD

大家要重拾希望

希望是珍貴資源，只停留在最堅持的人心中

Farewell, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew

In their position, I found that SDP’s statement is the most graceful of all.

“ Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Dr Lee Wei Ling
Mr Lee Hsien Yang,

On behalf of the members of the Singapore Democratic Party, I send you and your loved ones my deepest condolences on the demise of your father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. In this time of personal grief, our thoughts are with you.

Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party”

---
Here I also would like to add a few more words:

We are all human, we should take care of Mr. Lee family’s and thousands of supporters’ feelings when mourning for the loss of the life of their loved ones.

That is also why at this junction of time, I want to be sensitive also to the feelings of Chia Thye Poh (read ‘Operations Cold Store’), Said Zahari (read ‘Dark Clouds at Dawn’), Lim Chin Siong (read ‘Comet in the Sky’) who co-founded the People’s Action Party with Mr. Lee. Also those names that appear in the documentary of “To Singapore, With Love”: Ang Swee Chai, Chan Sun Wing, He Jin, Ho Juan Thai, Tan Hee Kim, Tan Wah Piow, Shu Shihua, Wong Soon Fong, Ye Wanzhen.

They, too, have their families and comrades who have made the painful sacrifices in the past for an alternative but no less greater nation. For sure they will get far less recognition for their vision unrealised.

Only if Mr. Lee had approached and engaged them fairly, positively and freely, defeated them openly with reasons, utmost respect and freedom afforded to them, I believe all parties including me would sing praise of you highly unreservedly. Then I don’t need to take care of their feelings of their painful losses in the past (because that did not happen). By then Mr. Lee would be a great leader at such height that is truly well-loved by all, well-respected by opponents and would surely be positively accredited by majority of historians, as such accorded to Mr. Mandela Nelson and co. with glorious human values.

In the wake of the mourning of the late Mr. Lee, I sincerely want to thank him for helping me to appreciate more about the values ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’. He constantly reminds me of what I want and do not want for the future nation of mine I want to help build.

To Singapore, with Love~

謝太寶

謝太寶，全新加坡人都應覺得虧欠了他。
李光耀模式的勝利，是因為他在威權下、沒對手之下的勝利(unopposed victory)。
歷史不能做實驗，所以沒有科學實驗下的control（並行）樣本來作比較。歷史確實沒有如果，同時這也無法證明如果是由社陣（包括謝太寶）執政之下，現在的新加坡會不會是東方的瑞士或荷蘭？為何只滿足于李光耀現在和那時的新加坡模式？

---

陳慧思：

老楊說的是，談李光耀，怎能不談謝太寶？
「1963年，谢太宝以22岁之龄中选裕廊区国会议员，1966年10月29日遭新加坡政府援引《内安法令》未经审讯扣留，当时他年方25岁。1989年从樟宜大牢“释放”时，他已是44岁。“获释”过后，他被软禁在圣淘沙岛，需自付生活及住宿费。到了1998年，新加坡政府才解除所有禁令，让谢太宝重获言论及行动自由。当时谢太宝已年届57岁。」---網上資料

2011年謝老先生來馬領林連玉精神獎，那是他獲釋後首度公開演講，我有幸採訪、觀禮，向這位比曼德拉被扣禁的日子還長的政治犯致敬。
當時台上的他精神飽滿、聲若洪鐘，仍可讓人想像他在半個世紀前的群眾魅力。想一睹他風采的朋友可點擊這裡：https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UNDm8Ye0Lz8

---

今天下午討論的源起：

楊白楊：

《有多少新加坡人为谢太宝讲过什么话？》

刚才偶然读了一篇有关谢太宝先生的母亲的文章，心有戚戚焉。
很想问一声，几百万样样以WORLD CLASS为荣的新加坡人，李光耀把谢太宝先生囚禁了32年，你们当中有多少人曾经站出来为谢太宝先生讲过什么话？

（杨白杨。2015年3月22日）


原故事：

葉瑞女士——謝太寶最親愛的媽媽

作者：張素蘭(Teo Soh Lung)
譯者：殷素素2011-12-29
原文：https://www.facebook.com/notes/teo-soh-lung/madam-yap-swee-dearest-mother-of-dr-chia-thye-poh/226250874116460

作為一個母親，當她的聰明、前途無量的兒子被秘密逮捕，而監禁時期又被無限延宕，長達殘酷的32年，這將情何以堪？

葉瑞女士在多年倒臥病榻的情況下，終於在星期一（2011年12月26日）去世，享年94歲。在她生命的最後幾個星期，很難得她的大兒子謝太寶能夠日夜陪伴她，該是老懷堪慰了吧。

當謝太寶在風華正茂的25歲被捕時，他還是一個立法議員。他被捕後三個月，他的母親就身患重病，接著多次的中風讓她只能長期臥病在床。直到今天，沒有人能夠忘記她和她的家庭所遭受的苦難。這個家庭默默地承受了三十二年以上的光景。

當李光耀夫人因中風失去行動自由的時候，還有她的丈夫和孩子們隨侍在側，並且接受最好的醫療服務。而葉瑞女士卻不能享有這些。當時的總理李光耀先生和他的內閣想都沒想過基於人道的理由把謝太寶釋放或者公開審判。他真的是被丟進黑牢裡去自生自滅，他的家庭也只能自求生路。

當他57歲被放出來的時候，謝太寶根本在新加坡找不到一份工作，即使他是三語兼通，英語、華語和馬來語，並且還是前南洋大學的物理和數學高才生。他接受一份獎學金，需要到海牙的社會研究院去做更高的研究，所以不得不離開自己的母親。之後雖然他獲得了博士的學位，然而他在海外的學術活動使得他遠離自己的母親和家庭。

葉女士現在終於擺脫了她一生的折磨，希望她安息。也希望行動黨政府有一天體認到它所引用的內安法如何造成千萬個人和家庭的不幸和磨難。最後希望大家都能警覺，並且準備為不公不義的事提出疾呼。

---
好答復：

Madaleine: 

没有任何人的岁月该被无理掠夺，32年不是两个阿拉伯数字，而是有血有肉的生命。如果今天在牢房里的是你、我的孩子，那种痛何止撕心裂肺？如果说谢太宝坐牢就成全了新加坡今日的繁华，那么这个人要是没坐牢，新加坡岂非要更加繁荣进步？或许李光耀看到了这点，Ai Na Wee没看到。

像谢太宝这样的一个人才，或许他在学术上、其他领域中的成就可以造福世界，我们都不知道一个让李巨人惧怕的人，他能带给世界怎样的一种影响、一种震撼，因为那32年再也回不去了。

那天，前辈说往事，最后一句～“教书是我唯一的志愿”，让人泪水直流。今天，谢太宝若提往事，他的结语会是什么？我不知道，但是可以感受那种悲情～纵使他不语，我也泪先流。。


K.S. Lee:

所谓厉害的领导，或是伟人什么的，就是让一大群人心甘情愿无中生有的制造荣耀记忆，以及心甘情愿指鹿为马的齐心协力涂抹掉曾经发生过的暴行以及正在发生着的暴政。

只要暴政让人有饭吃，暴政留活命，是值得感恩；暴政不留活命，是顾全大局。

历史经常是奴才写来歌颂暴政的玩意儿。

Josh:

接受異己的氣度，正是李光耀所缺乏的。還有一位Jeyaratnam，妻子的癌症需要錢治療。李光耀痛恨Jeya屢次在國會讓他難堪，於是法院判Jeya誹謗罪成，罰巨款。Jeya之妻不及治療離世


CWS:

李光耀忌才，只想保住自己的權位。謝太寶三語精通，風華正茂，光芒四射，結果就這樣毀在他手中。昨晚朋友們才談到，李光耀要當的就是皇帝。他就是新加坡的皇帝。

CTP:

我一直觉得李光耀对他的扣留是极度残忍的，毁了一个人的一生。


楊白楊：

我上了这贴文之后，就去吃晚餐。回来看到，哇，这样热烈的讨论。

爱娜是我的世姪，我们只在接近20年前见过一次面。前年尾我才在FB遇到她。我喜欢她讲真心话的性格。她长期住新加坡，因此她对我的贴文的看法，我一点都不奇怪。我的感觉是大部份新加坡人都有她这种想法。所以，我的贴文清楚地要问的，是几百万的新加坡人。

因此，请大家不要针对爱娜来批评，不是因为爱娜是我的世姪，而是因为新加坡李光耀政府长期以来把大多数新加坡人打造成这个样子。我一直相信，几百万富裕的新加坡人，有一天，会为谢太宝先生的事，感到愧疚。几百万有读很多书的新加坡人，物质富裕之余，没有站出来问李光耀：谢太宝犯了什么杀人放火的大罪，要关他这么久？他不过是你的政敌而已！

把一个政治理念和自己对立的人监禁32年，还能够让几百万自己人不出声，太不可思议了，不要怪我对这事耿耿于怀。我不认识谢太宝先生，他也不认识我。我在24岁时坐牢两年，他在25岁时坐牢32年，我不能想像他的勇气从何而来，我只对他充满无限的敬意。对李光耀，他现在病重，我就不多说了。

政策研究提升国会辩论素质

2014年，国会下议院只召开了57天。由于电视没有定期直播国会辩论环节，一般民众未必能看到偶尔真正精彩的辩论，却对国会传出的荒唐闹剧略有所闻。托媒体酷爱捕捉‘充满娱乐性’的国会“原声摘要”(sound bite)之便，「月漏论」、「大脚兽」与「大猴」互呛、「不喜伊斯兰国者滚出国」的闹剧或影响了部份民众对政治人物的观感，觉得国会辩论像在巴刹里吵架。偏偏电视台又爱选播部长们照本宣读答复的沉闷画面，难怪激不起民众对国会辩论的兴趣。

政治人物的口才和演说能力照理不会太差。辩论素质不好，很可能是因为大部分朝野议员对各政策课题的认知、掌握和准备都不足。议员对课题不甚了解却又急于表现，结果不是口出狂言就是彻底暴露他的无知。国会辩论期间另一个常见问题是议员爱节外生枝，不时脱离正题，白白浪费了讨论政策的宝贵时间，导致国会未能及时深入探讨、检验或纠正某些偏颇政策。况且，国阵仗着国会多数议席，过去不少政策就如此草率通过。

固然人民不能要求议员样样精通，但有素质的国会辩论必须伴随认真的政策研究。政党联盟之间或许可分工监督各政府部门，但每个议员皆应从事自己感兴趣的专门领域政策研究。

奈何国会似乎从未认真支援众议员从事政策研究。目前国会仅提供八位研究助理供全体222议员共用，而议员的津贴里不包括聘请助理的费用。目前国会议员的津貼仅RM6,508.59，再加上选区服务中心需要全职员，单靠津貼他们有能力自掏腰包聘请研究助理吗？对不太热衷于政策研究的议员来说，这根本就是奢侈。

要批评政府做得不好似乎比较容易，但要批判者拿出更周全的替代政策就知易行难，尤其是在政策研究方面乏善可陈。在新加坡国会议席阙如的民主党(SDP)能凭一己之力推出多个攸关国家重大课题的详细政策建议书来，与执政党辩论，我国的各大在野党呢？可否让人民端详你们对教育、交通、医药卫生、环境、经济转型等替代政策的详细建议书？

其实，我国朝野政党本身各有智库：马华有策略分析与政策研究所(INSAP)，民政党有社会经济发展研究所(SEDAR)，人民公正党有人民研究院(Institut Rakyat)。这些智库的共同点是没获得国会或政府拨款，因此研究质量或受影响和局限。相比之下，德国政府长期资助各主流政党成立的基金会，无论该政党在朝或在野都有一笔客观的预算来研究政策和办活动。此举非常有利于各党议员提升专业问政能力。

“又要马儿好，又要马儿不吃草”肯定不行了，再不趁早，迟点议员脑生草。与其给首相专机环游世界‘吃风’，人民绝对乐意把一小部分的税金给议员作政策研究。

本文刊登于《火箭报》2015年2月1日期刊

当个可信赖的专业从政者

从政者给民众的普遍印象似乎不太好。有人觉得他们信口开河，甚至有人对他们嗤之以鼻，颇感不屑。在民主成熟的国度里，独立自主、批判力高的媒体会对从政者许下的每个承诺、说过的每一句话，穷追猛打。

随着时代的演变，人民的知识水平显著提高，媒体充斥大量便宜又即时的资讯。英国保守党国会议员史都华(Rory Steward)曾在一场公开演说中表示，这些因素导致现代民主社会对从政者要求苛刻，以致他们没有说真话、承认弱点的空间。一旦坦诚错误得付代价，等于间接鼓励从政者花言巧语、言不由衷，进一步巩固民众对这职业的刻板印象。

事实上，全球民主趋势似乎在倒退，尤其明显地发生在民主成熟的国家。其中最好的指标是大选的投票率、人民加入政党的比率和镇民大会的出席率。在英美德日等国，如今这方面的数据已远比不上1980到1990年代初的高峰。原因除了是这些国家的传统主流政党已无法回应和跟上新时代的思维和脚步，更精明的人民也开始不轻易相信政党和政治人物。

我国有不同的民主和政治体验。两年前，政党竞争最激烈、全民最投入的5.05全国大选，投票率84.5%，创下历史新高。当时，政治口号响彻云霄：改朝换代、Ini kalilah, Ubah！可惜，众人的政改梦想没有实现，多少人因此而泄气失落。随后的政党和社运活动不是减少就是停歇。民联三党在去年的雪州大臣风波里的内斗和尔虞我诈，浇灭了不少支持者对政改的浪漫期待。去年的好几场补选再也激不起如5.05时期的火花。

政党与选民之间的信任源自于诚信。政党要选民继续支持，诚信至关重要。负责任的民主政党更要向人民透明且坦诚地交代其重要的政治决定。任何黑箱作业、密谋谈判和利益交换的政治举动，只会加深人民对政党的猜疑。在这年代，若政客还想用似是而非的言论或谎言来打发民众对事情的追究，就大错特错了。林肯给政客的教诲是：你可以有时欺骗所有人或时常欺骗一些人，但你总不能每时每刻欺骗所有人。

正如首相纳吉在刚上任时说：“政府知道什么是最好的”时代已结束了。政府用恶法如《官方机密法令》和《煽动法令》来隐藏和阻止人民探究获知攸关公共利益的资讯，固然是在自打嘴巴；反之，若从政者不知道或不清楚某件事或议题，虚心承认不懂也总好过不懂装懂地吹嘘一番。发表任何言论之前，政治人物切记要做足功课，不然就会闹出“蕹菜降价”和“一蚊鸡”不食人间烟火的经典笑话。

从政者固然也是人，会有人性弱点，但要人民接受和信任，从政者学会尊重人民的意愿和相信他们的智慧。人民经过3.08和5.05的民主洗礼后变得更加成熟，从政者是时候加把劲、表现得更专业更有诚信。别让人民不开心，好吗？

本文刊登于《火箭报》2015年1月15日期刊

No free political lunch, please sign this!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-release-malaysian-opposition-leader-anwar-ibrahim-prison-top-priority-us-policy-toward-malaysia/fBrTzvBz

各位親朋戚友，如果政府隨便抓人再來個‘莫須有’罪名把一個個願意為大家仗義執言的在野黨領袖關進牢里，而你又不會生氣，也不愿花一兩分鐘來簽名支持釋放政治犯安華，那麼我們就集體繼續乖乖聽話地生活在一個國家大的牢房里吧！

維繫一個貪腐的政權很容易，就是什麼都不做！繼續讓羅大媽用1200大元理髮洗頭，買包包鑽戒和環遊世界吧，反正錢也是你們的！

何時為正義挺身而出？就是在對的時候做對的事情！

快點點進以上網頁簽名支持釋放安華吧！

I feel rather sad over the fact that the petition could not garner enough signatures after 2 weeks, to get over the threshold to bring to US government attention. 100,000 signatures, a high barrier though, but looking at how many people had turned out at political rallies/ protests prior to 505 General Election, I still find it too surprising the petition campaign falters. Why? In the face of gross violation of justice to the opposition leader of our nation, Anwar Ibrahim, I am aghast why this time not so many people express their anger like last time? To support the call, one just need take a minute or two to fill up the online signature form. It does not even require anyone go down to street nor taken to lokap, why not sign?

The person who initiated this petition is no other than the ex-US ambassador himself John Malott. I know some still are very sceptical and doubt whether this petition would change anything at all. I don’t know, but at least I know every signature is real, at least the online support and the call for justice is also real and solid. This forms the collective voice of conscience and moral authority. Even if Obama-administration chooses to overlook this issue, we can use the petition to go around and signal to the world that we have got a serious issue back home. If the people in the respective nations know that their democratic leaders still hypocritically support a regime who throws their political opponents in jail, what do they think of their leaders? But if we ourselves are not angry enough, seemingly agree with the authority over their political moves and ‘content’ with the status quo, then why would any government and people in the world voice up for us, if not even 100,000 people back in our homeland bother about it?

One issue I can understand is that the language used in this petition is English. This could already be a language barrier to some rakyat who are not so good in understanding the content of this petition and therefore refuse to sign. I hope some would take this to their circle of friends, translate the basic message of this petition in their own native language, and finally urge people to sign! Sign, please just sign. Do it not just for Anwar, but for a free and fair political competition. Don’t make opposition politicians pay any political cost, no one should deserve that kind of injustice.

There is no real reform for Malaysia without having free and strong opposition which can win the election by real support and implement their political visions.

***

Reform is a long march... now the opposition leader is in the lokap, talking about the long term strategy is not timely.

There are people building the nation by strengthening the opposition, not just in terms of political influence, but also substance.

Policy formulating will take time , especially expert consultation. I see that some parties and NGOs are doing that, and there are things still ongoing, to put on the plate.

Not to smear BN, but the federal government is doing the opposite, and earning more and more discredit.

You should also understand that policy reform will go hand in hand with the political power. If the current political power doesn't want to shake our hands, then we should go to another platform which would take our ideas as their vision too and at the same time politically powerful enough to challenge the problematic one.

***

so, at this junction of time, we must do what is required at the crucial moment. I don't mean signing this petition is enough, no it is not, but doing this costs us nothing and can probably bring advancement to the movement

To act or not to act, it is up to the occupant in the White House. But we want the world to see White House's reaction to injustice and anti-democratic measures done by a leader he played golf with