Is SDP's Plea for Information Fair ?

• kramnave

  13 Oct 07, 21:57

  Upon visiting SDP's website, the headline of an article caught my eye. It read: "Is this company linked to the Burmese Junta?". Hmm did SDP uncover something ? Is a Singaporean company doing shady arm deals with the Junta ? Is the company in the business of smuggling drugs ? No, the company in question is listed on SGX, formed in Singapore, has origins in Myanmar and is in the business of opening avenues for foreign investors to invest in Myanmar, according to that article anyway. Admittedly i have not done any due diligence on the company, not that it matters anyway.
  
  In that article, SDP listed the company's name and those of the board of directors. With absolutely no evidence whatsover or even a hint, SDP has openly called the public to provide information on this company, if available. As SDP puts it: "Being listed on the SGX, it is incumbent for shareholders to satisfy for themselves that they are not dealing in blood money".
  
  So now we publicly ask if the company is linked with the Junta, we list the company's name and those of their directors, we use terms like "blood money" and all of these are based on nothing, just that SDP would like some information to pursue their political interests.
  
  Is this fair to the company, their shareholders and their stakeholders ?
• t_a_s

  13 Oct 07, 22:05

  it is very fair to the company, we investors would like to know the history of the co. before we invest in it, as it is blue chip, it is worth the investment but on the other hand if it is a co. belonging to the Burma junta, then we should boycourt it
• kramnave

  13 Oct 07, 22:49

  Originally posted by t_a_s:

  it is very fair to the company, we investors would like to know the history of the co. before we invest in it, as it is blue chip, it is worth the investment but on the other hand if it is a co. belonging to the Burma junta, then we should boycourt it

  So as you said, boycott the company if it has links with the Burmese Junta.
  
  What if you don't have that concern about the listed company prior to SDP's request for information ? Suppose now you have that concern after reading the article. Suppose many people wouldn't have been concerned until they read the article but now are concerned. Is that fair to the company, the directors, shareholders and stakeholders ? Remember, no evidence has been produced thus far and there is not even a slight hint of any, just a sweeping question:"Is this company linked to the Burmese Junta ?
• t_a_s

  13 Oct 07, 22:56

  all companies are subject to stake holder's scrutiny, if the co. is clean then why worry fair or not
• kramnave

  13 Oct 07, 23:13

  Originally posted by t_a_s:

  all companies are subject to stake holder's scrutiny, if the co. is clean then why worry fair or not

  I'm not saying this will happen or likely to happen but just for the sake of discussion....
  
  Suppose you own a business. Today someone rather influential to certain quarters of the community asks if your business is related to the Junta. You are facing a boycott of your goods. Upon hearing the news, your suppliers refuse to give you credit and your debtors come knocking. To makes things worse your shareholders want to sell off their shares to whoever that wants it and you run into a cashflow problem etc. Is it fair to you even though you are clean ? If you are clean would you worry ?
  
  
• mancha

  13 Oct 07, 23:55

  Do the SDP want to invest in that company?
  
  If the current crisis is resolved positively, that co will boom.
• kramnave

  15 Oct 07, 00:13

  Are they taking this too far ?
  
  SDP, in a quest to further their interests named the details of a listed company, including those of their Board of Directors. SDP questions if the company is linked to the Burmese Junta. All these without evidence or hint of any.
  
  Gopalan Nair who had suggested that political parties get funding from foreign sources had just published the details of a lawyer he didn't see eye to eye with. "Singapore Dissident" Gopalan Nair who resides in the United States of America publised the name of the lawyer, his contact number and the name of the law firm he works in.
  
  Both have the agenda of seeing the downfall of the ruling government. Both have the agenda of encouraging dissent. Suppose its fair that they believe in the right to dissent and we have no objections against that etc since in a way they are fighting for our rights. Lets suppose that they are doing a noble cause. However, are they going too far with their enthusiasm ?
  
  Is this fair ?
• kramnave

  17 Oct 07, 23:10

  Free Burma !! No arms, no deals with the Junta !!