[Press Release] The Threat of Democratic Legal System, Democratic Development and Future of Singaporeans

"The threat of democratic legal system,  democratic development and the future of Singaporeans"  

PAP government does not even require a court order application or an open court hearing to be able to order the closure of a group of social media sites. This is a serious threat to the democratic legal system, freedom of speech, democratic development and the future of the country Singaporeans .

We understand that irresponsible remarks may cause serious social and religious conflicts, and could threaten the security and economic development of the country. Therefore, some restriction is necessary; unless there is any organization or individual making irresponsible remarks posing a threat to the security and stability of the country, then it is necessary to take legal action.

We cannot accept those who for their own party political or other personal purpose to undermine social harmony and stability, ethnic and religion, and affecting of security and economic development of the country. Therefore, any person or group of social media sites promoting national and social stability with harmful remarks should not be tolerated. Our party’s position is that freedom of expression is a universal value, but must be based on facts and not illegal. Our party does not agree with the party’s ordering of the closure of the “The Real Singapore” website.

We think if PAP government party can order a ban in the absence of a trial, or even shut down any social media site, a move similar to the exercise of the Internal Security Act - it may also apply to the court to arrest any citizen without an open trial. This would  not only violate the constitutional freedom of speech of the people, but is also against the spirit of democracy and freedom and the rule of law. PAP government applied to the court in the absence of a court order, even when waiting for the results of the trial court has ordered the closure of “The Real Singapore" website, leading to the citizens questioning the political wisdom and judgment. This makes one wonder if the PAP government is going back to the high pressure rulership with an iron fist? If the PAP is really back to the high pressure and iron-fisted political line, we cannot sit back and ignore this, because it will develop a serious threat to democracy and legal system to a democratic country and the interests of the people. Therefore, we call on everyone to urge the PAP government to respect the constitutional power of democracy and freedom of speech of the people. When they wish to close any group or individual social media sites, they must apply to the court for a court order and court hearing so that it is fair and just. The future of Singaporeans lie in the people’s political participation and as well as democracy and freedom of speech in Singapore people.

 

For and on Behalf of the Central Executive Committee 

of Singapore Democratic Alliance 

 

Lim Bak Chuan Desmond 

Chairman of SDA

 

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy_in_Singapore

 

"威胁了民主法制建设、和国家民主的发展和新加坡人的未来" 

 

行动党政府未经申请庭令，或是在法庭公开审理之下，就可以下令关闭个团体的社交媒体网站,这严重的威胁了民主法制建设、言论自由、国家民主的发展和新加坡人的未来。 

 

我们理解不负责任的言论，可以造成严重的社会与宗教冲突、以及可能威胁国家的安全和经济发展。所以在必要时受到一些约束，除非有任何组织或是个人发表不负责任的言论，确实威胁到共和国的安全与稳定时,才能采取必要的法律行动。 

 

我党不能接受为自己的政治或是其他个人目的来破坏社会,民族与宗教之间的和谐与稳定，以及影响国家的安全与经济发展。 所以当任何人或是团体的社交媒体网站，推广有害国家和社会稳定的言论,是不能容忍的。

 

言论自由是普世价值，但必须有事实根据，也不违法这是我党的立场。但是我党却不认同新加坡媒体发展局下令关闭"真实新加坡"网站的程序。

 

我党认为行动党政府在没有向法庭申请或是经法庭审理就可以随意的下令禁止,甚至关闭任何社交媒体网站,此举相似于行使内安法,随时可以逮捕任何国民而不需经法庭公开的审理,这不只违背了宪法给予人民的言论自由也 违背了民主自由与法制精神。

 

行动党政府在没有向法庭申请庭令,甚至等待法庭开庭审理的结果之下就下令关闭"真新加坡"网站的做法,不只质疑新加坡人的政治智慧和判断力。令人质疑行动党政府是否要走回高压与铁腕政治路线?

如果行动党真是走回高压与铁腕政治路线,我党不能坐视而不理,因为它将严重的威胁民主法制建设和国家民主的发展以及人民的利益。

因此我们呼吁大家一起要行动党政府尊重宪法给予人民的民主与言论自由的权力。在关闭任何团体或是个人的社交媒体网站时,必需向法庭申请庭令并即以他们公平与公正的审理。

新加坡人的未来取之于新加坡民众的政治参与以及民主与言论自由。

 

 

谢谢!

 

林睦荃

主席

代表新加坡民主联盟全体中委致