Riding out the financial crisis – Part 2

November 23, 2008 by admin · 1 Comment
Filed under: Assistant Chief Editor, Chia Ti Lik, Financial Matters

Written by Chia Ti Lik
Assistant Chief Editor
21 November 2008

I did my second surrender of another insurance policy last week. This time round the net worth was another measly S$6,000 or so. The loss in premiums paid up was probably about S$4,000 plus. I will probably keep this amount close at hand in cold hard cash.

A friend who knew about my dilemma had commented that I did not have much to show after investing in my insurance for a good nine years. This is undeniable. It is a settled fact that I had lost money on the deal.

But the silver lining in my loss, I replied to him, was that even though I lost money, I was at least losing my own money and not money that did not belong to me.

I was referring specifically to the bungled investments unraveling before us over the last few weeks: Temasek Holdings botched investment in ABC Learning – an over-hyped Australian childcare provider – and PAP-run town councils $12-million losses in investments over Lehman-linked products.

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Riding out the financial crisis

November 13, 2008 by admin · 3 Comments
Filed under: Assistant Chief Editor, Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
12 November 2008

Year 2008 is a year of change, of forced consolidation and rebirth.

Out of university in 1998, I entered the workforce in 1999 fresh with memories of having to work part-time throughout my practice law course. The economy was still feeling the effects of the Asian financial crisis.

Still reeling with pessimism and anxiety of the unknown, I structured my financial life around life insurance policies that I thought would give me protection and future income. The result was low liquidity which mandated low expenses on my part.

Aiming to have low expenses was itself noble and I had long given up dreams of a big house and a flashy car. I did, however, managed to pamper myself a little with my hobby with audio systems which led to a further depreciation of the contents in my wallet.

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Tak Boleh Tahan’s first casualties

July 9, 2008 by admin · 2 Comments
Filed under: Assistant Chief Editor, Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
09 July 2008

In any struggle for freedom and democracy, there is bound to be blood, sweat and tears. Throughout history, freedom and democracy are not won by comfortable inaction or muted negotiation. Freedom and democracy are won through sacrifice.

The PAP secured its position by detaining political opponents, suing political opponents, jailing political opponents. Detentions were made in Operation Coldstore 1 and Operation Coldstore 2 in the early years. That all but wiped out the Barisan Socialis.

In 1987-1988, the Marxist Conspiracy arrests were used to against 22 young professionals working closely with the Workers’ Party of Singapore.

Defamation suits were used throughout the years against opposition politicians who were less than careful with their criticisms.

I received my first two charges from Central Police Division for unlawful assembly and illegal procession relating to the World Consumers’ Day Protest on March 15th 2008. We were peaceful and harmless protesters but the administration is adamant on silencing Singaporeans in their own country.

Check out youtube for a recording of what actually happened and ask yourself whether our administration and the Police have gotten their priorities correct in the service and protection of citizens of this nation.

I would have to attend Court on 11th July 2008 for these charges. I will go to Court as an Accused person for the first time in my life. This are the casualties of the Tak Boleh Tahan! campaign brought on behalf of the citizens of Singapore. It remains to be seen whether these are the only casualties that will ever be recorded in history.

I have to come to terms to what I believe in and what it takes for us to make this place a nation. In view of what Singapore lacks to make this place a home, there is no reason for us to recoil from what is now perceived to be the danger that comes with challenging the regime.

There will be a price to pay for things in life. And if freedom is something to be treasured. The price for freedom would undoubtedly be high.

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Chia Ti Lik: A rebuttal to PAP media crucifixion of Dr Chee Soon Juan

June 12, 2008 by admin · 8 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik, Voices of the People

Written by Chia Ti Lik
11 June 2008

Overview

The week before this, Dr Chee Soon Juan was involved in a trial against the two most powerful men in Singapore being the father and son team of Prime Minister and Minister Mentor. This clash had been recorded on the Court’s audio recording and available for all to hear.

The much awaited clash produced collateral damage in the form of Justice Belinda Ang’s citation of Chee Soon Juan and Chee Siok Chin for contempt of Court. It inevitably resulted in jail sentences for the pair – 12 days for Dr. Chee and 10 days for Siok Chin.

After sending off Dr. Chee and Siok Chin on the afternoon of 4th June 2008, I had thought that the saga had ended. However, on 7th June 2008 Saturday morning, I was met with three articles touching on Dr. Chee. These were from Chua Lee Hoong of the Straits Times and Nazry Bahrawi and Derrick A. Paulo of Today.

In short, the articles were as follows:

Chua Lee Hoong attempts to take a swipe at Dr. Chee lamenting on his supposed squandered potential.
Nazry Bahrawi questions Dr. Chee’s game plan.
Derrick A Paulo confesses to having less than independent thought in that remarks by a colleague shapes his opinion of Dr. Chee. Interestingly, his views are not shaped by what he perceives through his senses and processed by independent sentient thought.

The common thread throughout the three articles are that they sought to portray a stance of neutrality and concern but in the same breath seek to insidiously poison the readers’ minds as to who Dr. Chee is and what he stands for.

I have penned down my responses to the same on the following articles.

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Chia Ti Lik’s open letter to PM Lee and MM Lee

May 20, 2008 by admin · 5 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
16 May 2008

Dear MM, PM

When i was a 13 year old boy, i bought the two books of your (Lee Kuan Yew’s) speeches by Alex Josey. To me you were a hero, you led Singapore from colonialism to independence. Your speeches were complex and had carried a lot of detail. Though i did not understand them fully, i had great respect for them.

In 1988 when i was fifteen, i witnessed what was shown on TV and the news of the marxist ISD arrests detentions. I thought Lawyer Peter Cuthbert Low was doing a damn good and brave job. Subsequent to the televised confessions to the marxist conspiracy, i was a misleadingly convinced of what the government had to do. Nevertheless, the behaviour and high handedness of your administration disgusted me.

In those years, with the exception of the 1985 economic recession, Singapore did well, so in the thought that there was still overall good in the administration, my political inclinations still remained with the then prevailing administration.

Read the full letter here.

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Chia Ti Lik: Confessions of a Protestor, World Consumer Rights’ Day – Protest in front of Parliament House Part 5

March 20, 2008 by admin · 6 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
19 March 2008

[News has it that Uncle Yap has been charged for 2 charges unlawful assembly and illegal procession. This is a sad day for Singapore. Something must be wrong with this nation when the administration punishes civil activists for speaking up for the Singapore people.

As it is, we are a nation under seige and a terrorist is on the loose, yet there is enough police determination to deploy surveillance policemen to be waiting for the civil and political activists outside parliament house on 15th March 2008. There was also enough resolve to get ready scores of female policewomen to soften the image of the regime. There was also enough determination to make sure the dirty deeds are done outside a police uniform.

All these point towards one thing that though what the police may be doing is backed up by law, what that is done is nevertheless clearly and morally wrong.

Things being done wrong in public would be done without the police uniform, but things done wrongly in police uniform would be done in private.]

Siok Chin was heard raising her voice in an exchange with the police whilst in custody. It must have been very loud for us to hear it when we are in the smaller lock up. We believed that Siok Chin was resisting the police’s demands. We did not wish that Siok Chin compromise her well-being and safety. Therefore, after a while we made a request to see Siok Chin. The request was rejected. At this time it was probably about 5 pm plus. We asked for water.

We were then transferred back to the 1st holding cell and we were given some water. We were then told that there would be dinner provided. Dinner came in the form of packed rice in styrofoam boxes. We took the food. Plain but edible and not much to complain about.

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Chia Ti Lik: Confessions of a Protestor World Consumer Rights’ Day – Protest in front of Parliament House Part 4

March 17, 2008 by admin · 2 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
17 March 2008, mid afternoon

“I am exercising my constitutional rights.”

“I am responsible for my own actions.”

“I myself will answer for what I did.”

It came statement taking. I was amongst the first to be called. I was led to another room where I would sit down facing an officer in front of a PC.

The Officer taking my statement was polite. He revealed that he would be asking me a number of questions. He told me that I could decline to answer them.

I must say frankly that I co-operated with the police. I answered the questions the best that I could. However, any questions that turned towards pinning blame on other persons, I declined to answer.

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Chia Ti Lik: Confessions of a Protestor World Consumer Rights’ Day – Protest in front of Parliament House Part 3

March 17, 2008 by admin · 1 Comment
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
17 March 2008, lunch time

The earlier process of surrendering personal items into a transparent bag took some time.

There was also some delay due to Siok Chin and Dr. Chee’s firm exchanges with the police.

At one stage, there was also so much tension that they placed 3 guards within the lock up cell with us.

Station Inspector Tan Kok Ann was uncomfortable about us grouping in a circle to talk. He entered the lock up and insisted on standing amongst us when Dr. Chee refused his suggestion to sit down on the bench.

All that took up some time such that by the time we were settled down people were then taking turns to go to the toilet. Accompanied of course.

I also went to the toilet under guard. I had to pass through a total of 4 or so gates. Each one was locked. I was accompanied all the time by a police officer.

The toilet bowl squarely faced the door. If the policeman stood at the door, there was no way I could get out of his sight. I approached the cubicles only to find that they were bathing cubicles. I did not see any urinals. There was only one cistern and flush and one washbasin. These were in a single straight line from the door. There were no windows. No side doors. No trapdoors. Nothing.

The Policeman remained there. I passed my urine under police guard. After that i was led back to the cell. This was repeated with each and everyone of us under guard.

To be continued in Part 4

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Chia Ti Lik: Confessions of a Protestor World Consumer Rights’ Day – Protest in front of Parliament House Part 2

March 16, 2008 by admin · 4 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
16 March 2008, late afternoon

The trip towards Police Cantonment Complex was a very fast one.

The route was one which i often took as a lawyer, be it to bail clients / friends or to attend sessions when my clients were interviewed.

The police were ready at Police Cantonment Complex. The barrier was raised and there were extra police officers standing on guard to receive the welcoming of the vans. We drove into the basement carpark. The basement car park was also guarded.

We drove into a de-loading / de-bus bay. The vans reversed into the parking lots and a steel shutter was lowered to shut out the vans from the rest of the car park. A number of fresh police officers stood outside the van.

When it came for time to de-bus three police officers brought Seelan out first. They seemed to be unsure of what to do and then in a moment of haplessness asked us to stay right there where we were. Van doors open but steel shutters down. [a thought crossed my mind - did they tell Mas Selamat Kastari this as well prior to this escape?] After a while we were asked to move one by one out of the van and into the premises.

There were steel gates everywhere. Corridors had steel gates locking down wherever we passed. My mind begins to wonder – how did Mas Selamat Kastari escape?

We were asked to empty our pockets and put them into a transparent bag. The process was a tedious process. There were a number of us and the police took their time.

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Chia Ti Lik: Confessions of a Protestor on World Consumer Rights’ Day – Protest in front of Parliament House Part 1

March 16, 2008 by admin · 4 Comments
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik

Written by Chia Ti Lik
16 March 2008, 0040hrs

My thoughts at this moment at 2341hrs on the events of the day.

I had started out feeling enthusiastic about the protest which i was about to take part today. Early awakening in the morning and thereafter straight for a breakfast with a couple of friends.

We found ourselves under cloudy weather when we arrived near the venue. After a while of speaking around, we proceeded towards Parliament House. There were probably about 25 to 30 of us. Excluding the children that were brought by their parents.

Straightaway, the seasoned eye of an activist spots a total of about 8 plain clothes policemen lurking around to do surveillance. The police and the administration were clearly rattled by the intention to protest in front of parliament house.

To me this was a symbolic gesture. As Parliament has failed Singapore in failing to keep the Cabinet in check, a protest by people from all walks of life in Singapore would bring them down a peg or two and for them to start listening to the people. I prided myself for being able to pluck up the courage to join in this protest.

After photos and interviews were taken by the local and foreign press on the paraphernalia and purpose of the protest, placards included. ASP William Goh, fearful of being identified as a police officer, failed to appear in his uniform. ASP William Goh made a hasty introduction of himself and asked for us to disperse from the the Parliament House. Dr. Chee Soon Juan and Gandhi Ambalam disagreed and started walking across the road towards Funan Centre.

There in front of Funan Centre, we were accosted again by a sweaty and panicky ASP William Goh who now demanded that the placards to be surrendered and if the placards were not surrendered, arrests would be made.

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Chia Ti Lik: Paralysis and Procastination – The sins of running a loose ship

March 11, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik, JI escapee

Written by Chia Ti Lik
10 Mar 08

Paralysis and Procastination – The sins of running a loose ship

Many days have passed AND Mr. Mas Selamat is still “on the loose”.

I use “loose” as opposed to “at large” because he has not yet been charged in a court of law.

Mas Selamat has not been formally charged because the authorities probably do not have enough evidence to indict him.

The authorities have not managed to gather enough evidence to indict him because…… er…. well….. ahem

Now let us not dig too far :)

Digging too far invariably uncovers worms.

As a boy, i had my fair share of playing in the dirt and digging for worms. One phenomenon I noticed was that wherever i dug, i would find worms. Earthworms, big ones and little ones. In places rich with dirt, you would find worms even on the surface. In less fertile areas, one would have to dig deeper to find them.

Therefore, I don’t propose to dig too deep into the internals of the Ministry of Home Affairs, The Singapore Police Force, the Internal Security Department as well as the Gurkha Contingent. For it would be bad for a nation to lose faith in multiple institutions at one sweep.

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Chia Ti Lik’s speech at SDP forum on electoral reform, 20 Jan 08

January 22, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chia Ti Lik, Current Affairs, Political Discussions, SDP

How to reform the election system

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family, observers and activists. Welcome to this forum. My name is Ti Lik, and I am tasked with opening the topic of reform of the election system.

I do so from the vantage of someone who has been there and done that. I have seen the elections from both sides of the camp albeit on different levels, I am currently also experiencing pushing for change from a non-partisan vantage point and of being someone who wishes change to come and will support the party who genuinely pushes for that change.

By targeting the election system we are also referring to the process of elections, the structure of the state institutions and its flaws.

Now, the question of reform of the country and its institutions is a forgone issue. By and large people would agree that reform in those areas are much needed and all of us will agree that change would have to take place in accordance to law or via the establishment of a new legal order.

1. take place in accordance to law – self explanatory

2. establishment of a new legal order – setting a new government via extra – electoral action / revolution / coup etc.

Very often the much needed reform is described as something to be done only after you secure power which falls under (1). This is the ploy of the People’s Action Party.

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