Francis Seow swears affidavit in support of SDP
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Francis Seow swears affidavit in support of SDP
Singapore Democrats
10 Feb 08Former Singapore solicitor-general and Law Society president Mr Francis Seow filed an affidavit in support of the SDP in the lawsuit against Mr Lee Kuan Yew and son, Mr Lee Hsien Loong.
The Lees sued the Singapore Democrats and its executive members over an article which the party published drawing parallels between the NKF scandal and the way the PAP runs Singapore.
The High Court awarded the Lees the case without giving the SDP a fair trial despite the fact that the defendants had filed their defence and raised the fact that there were disputes in fact and law.
The judiciary will now decide how much the Lees have to be paid in damages in a hearing. Mr Seow filed an affidavit last week as a witness for the Singapore Democrats. In it, he refuted the claims made by the Lees that they are worth the amounts they claim (see below).
Earlier, the SDP and two other defendants Ms Chee Siok Chin and Dr Chee Soon Juan, filed their Affidavit Evidence in Chief, stating that the reputations of the Lees have inflated by the system they control.
Mr Seow has stated that he stands ready to be cross-examined at the hearing.Affidavit of Mr Francis Seow
I, Francis T Seow, do hereby make oath and say as follows:1. I am a witness for the defendants in this suit.
2. I was the former Solicitor-General of Singapore and the former President of the Law Society of Singapore.
3. As the former Solicitor-General, I have some knowledge of how the Government works under the Lee Kuan Yew (LKY). From my interactions with him, there is no doubt that LKY is bent on the total control of the Singaporean society.
4. The use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to quarantine and rehabilitate his political opponents, the wholesale subjugation of the print and broadcast media, the prohibition of public protests, and ironically the use of defamation laws have all had one effect: To silence opposing views in Singapore.
5. I was one of his victims. I was arrested and detained without trial under the ISA for opposing LKY's ways and his autocratic policies. My experience under detention is recounted in my book To Catch A Tartar: A Dissident in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison published by the prestigious Yale University Southeast Asia Studies. Pertinently, no one, not even the ever-litigious Lee Kuan Yew, has challenged the accuracy of what I had related in my book.
6. During my imprisonment I was told during my interrogators that they were going to neutralize me and that I should give up my idea of going into politics:
"So, you think, you can take on and bully the second-generation leaders? Well, our job is to make sure that you do not succeed. We are here to neutralize you. You know, to neutralize you! For your infomatioon, Lee Kuan Yew is running for another term. And you will be locked up here for at least two years, if not more. So, where will you be? You can give up all your ideas of going into politics." (Francis T Seow, To Catch A Tartar: A Dissident in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison published, Yale University Southeast Asia Studies, 1994).
7. If the State can treat the country's former solicitor-general in such a contemptible manner, how much more can it intimidate the ordinary citizen – such is the persecution of dissenters and opponents of the PAP Government?
8. When his political opponents and dissidents are persecuted few would dare join the ranks of the opposition, much less stand for elections. Given such an arrangement it is no wonder that the PAP is repeatedly returned to power.
9. When such an undemocratic practice is in place, how does the plaintiff claim that he is the duly elected leader of Singapore? And yet, Lee Hsien Loong (LHL) pretends that he operates in a democracy and claims that his position in the Government is a mandate given by Singaporeans. He has inherited the system put in place by his father.
10. The effulgence with which the media speaks of the plaintiff is not without contrivance. Journalists and editors who have been critical of LKY and the system he devised have been detained without trial, and newspapers that have demonstrated an independent streak have been closed.
11. Legislation has been passed to prohibit news organizations without Government control from being established. The Singapore Press Holdings which publishers all of Singapore's newspapers is chaired by Tony Tan, LKY's protégé and former deputy prime minister. Dr Tan's predecessor is Lim Kim San, a former cabinet minister and loyal friend of LKY.
12. With the media in the hands of LKY and those close to him, it is not possible for a balanced view of LHL to emerge.
13. There is no getting away from the fact that the political system that the PAP has devised in Singapore is not a democratic one. In fact the PAP Government thrives on fear. LKY himself boasted that: "If nobody is afraid of me, I'm meaningless." (Lee Kuan Yew, The Singapore Story: The Man and His Ideas,1998).
14. Only those operating within the PAP system will agree that the system is not designed to inflate the plaintiff's reputation and to curtail opposing views.
15. Given such a climate of fear and intimidation, there can be only be praise of the plaintiff. His critics, especially the prominent ones, have all been silenced. Given such a scenario, LHL's reputation is based on his own opinion and those of his minions. This is no way to assess a plaintiff's reputation especially in a court of law.
16. To obtain a reliable and valid assessment, a broader spectrum of views and opinions must be sought especially from persons/groups who are not within the control of the Singapore Government.
Sworn by me,
Francis T Seow
Before William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
On January 30, 2008Filed on this 5th day of February 2008
http://www.singaporedemocrat.org/articlenkflawsuit28.html
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CSJ just want to make a show for himself and Seow.
Seow was detained for one year for working with US to form a opposition party.This is against the rules of the game in SG.
Pl read the OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE TO ACCUSE AMERICANS.THIS WAS DAMN SERIOUS WHEN SG ACCUSED U.S .INTERFERE DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.SOME SG PEOPLE MAY AGREED U.S. TO INTERFERE----to form a opposition party to fight with PAP.But do u think US was so kind just to promote democracy and no more?If u think so,u are a little bit of naive.
Pl share with us what were the reactions of US gavaman?
2.http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/public/
serach FRANCIS SEOW AND PUT the time frame.
u will get 3 documents.Down load very fast.
Can anyone tell me how SEOW escaped from SG?Inside diplomatic bag or board a submarines near St John Island?
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Dear lionnoisy,
Hmmmmm.......
I thought Internal Security Act (ISA) was used in the 1960s to detain communist elements.
"The Internal Security Act (ISA) of Singapore confers on the government the right to arrest and detain individuals without trial in certain defined circumstances. The legislation originated in the wake of World War II, when a number of countries around the world introduced legislation that severely curtailed the rights of known or suspected communists.
The most notable ISA case was the Operation Coldstore in 1963 which led to the arrest of some 100 left-wing politicians and trade unionists, including members of the opposition party Barisan Sosialis who were opposing Singapore's merger with Malaysia. While the ISA has not been invoked in recent years against political opponents, the continued existence of ISA is perceived as restricting political opposition and criticism of the government."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Security_Act_%28Singapore%29
Either Francis Seow and the USA are communist; or the ISA has evolved into a mechanism to restrict democratic processes and opposing views.
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The bigger issue of interest to Singaporeans at large is not what Francis Seow was guilty of but why was he being investigated for accounts or some other matters because of his causing offence to higher ups?
People should really be mature to ask the right the question and not be so naive as to continue to believe in all sorts of propaganda as in the past.
The should ask other more important questions like what was the real reason for taking actions against Francis Seow who obviously has been doing a good job as a public prosecutor deserving even high level recognition and national awards.
Similarly it should be asked what was the real reason for sacking CSJ from his University job? Don't tell us that none of the civil servants did not occasionally send out a letter to their own friends through the office thereby being guilty of use of office stamps?
If CSJ was an insurgent, communist or a terrorist at the time citizens can understand the government is right in taking action against him?
If an elected government is to take actions against its political critics or dissidents, then is such a government acting in the interests of the public or citizens any more?
No one is perfect as we all know as a fact. Can any one here tell us that our holder of the highest office in the land is perfect and has done nothing wrong in his life and totally beyond reproach. Can any one here tell us none of the ministers or top civil servants never once send out a private letter from the office and wittingly or otherwise using the office stamps and be as guilty as CSJ for pilferage of office stamps for which he was sacked.
What is so difficult for a government to fix someone and use its political power to get rid of someone who is a thorn at its side.
Should such a government be allowed to carry on fixing its opponents or critics or dissidents?
Glen Knight the ex- Public Prosecutor was another high profile civil servant who has done his jobs well. Why was he suddenly investigated for something? Was there a motive for investigating him ? Was he investigated because he was on the verge of breakthrough in investigating a high-level VIP thereby posing a threat to the establishment?
Do we want to elect this type of shenanigans or skulduggery in government? Is this sort of government acting in the interest of the public or the people at large?
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will posters ever break the habit of asking question after question after question?
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Originally posted by phil30k:
will posters ever break the habit of asking question after question after question?
That will probably never happen cos the answers are nearly never found here. Those that know the answers are probably the ministers, ex-ministers and their admin staff and the probably would have never heard of the forum in the first place...
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POLITICS IS A DIRTY GAME. That is why Chiam and Low are very cautious!
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Originally posted by maurizio13:
Dear lionnoisy,
Hmmmmm.......
I thought Internal Security Act (ISA) was used in the 1960s to detain communist elements.
"The Internal Security Act (ISA) of Singapore confers on the government the right to arrest and detain individuals without trial in certain defined circumstances. The legislation originated in the wake of World War II, when a number of countries around the world introduced legislation that severely curtailed the rights of known or suspected communists.
The most notable ISA case was the Operation Coldstore in 1963 which led to the arrest of some 100 left-wing politicians and trade unionists, including members of the opposition party Barisan Sosialis who were opposing Singapore's merger with Malaysia. While the ISA has not been invoked in recent years against political opponents, the continued existence of ISA is perceived as restricting political opposition and criticism of the government."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Security_Act_%28Singapore%29
Either Francis Seow and the USA are communist; or the ISA has evolved into a mechanism to restrict democratic processes and opposing views.
It seem u think ISA can be applied to Communists.Pl read www.agc.gov.sg for the whole status then talk lah.
2.Have u read news ISA also be applied to terrorists!!
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Originally posted by robertteh:
The bigger issue of interest to Singaporeans at large is not what Francis Seow was guilty of but why was he being investigated for accounts or some other matters because of his causing offence to higher ups?
People should really be mature to ask the right the question and not be so naive as to continue to believe in all sorts of propaganda as in the past.
The should ask other more important questions like what was the real reason for taking actions against Francis Seow who obviously has been doing a good job as a public prosecutor deserving even high level recognition and national awards.
Similarly it should be asked what was the real reason for sacking CSJ from his University job? Don't tell us that none of the civil servants did not occasionally send out a letter to their own friends through the office thereby being guilty of use of office stamps?
If CSJ was an insurgent, communist or a terrorist at the time citizens can understand the government is right in taking action against him?
If an elected government is to take actions against its political critics or dissidents, then is such a government acting in the interests of the public or citizens any more?
No one is perfect as we all know as a fact. Can any one here tell us that our holder of the highest office in the land is perfect and has done nothing wrong in his life and totally beyond reproach. Can any one here tell us none of the ministers or top civil servants never once send out a private letter from the office and wittingly or otherwise using the office stamps and be as guilty as CSJ for pilferage of office stamps for which he was sacked.
What is so difficult for a government to fix someone and use its political power to get rid of someone who is a thorn at its side.
Should such a government be allowed to carry on fixing its opponents or critics or dissidents?
Glen Knight the ex- Public Prosecutor was another high profile civil servant who has done his jobs well. Why was he suddenly investigated for something? Was there a motive for investigating him ? Was he investigated because he was on the verge of breakthrough in investigating a high-level VIP thereby posing a threat to the establishment?
Do we want to elect this type of shenanigans or skulduggery in government? Is this sort of government acting in the interest of the public or the people at large?
Halt it!!
Now u refer to Seow,CSJ and Glen Knight.
DUnt mix up.we can discuss one by one ,pl restrict to Seow again.
2.U think it is a damn funny thing when SG accused US interfere its domestic affairs?U huys just think US is helping SG to gain more democracy.What if Seow gains the power and he is become the puppet of the big brother US?
No free lunch.Seow had to listen to whoever put him in power.
3.Pl show me the reaction of US after SG detained Seow.How US defended SG accusation?
4.This was not the first time US interfere into SG domestic affarirs.Read LKY story then u know,if u believe him.
5.In 50's or 60's,US bribed a top SG official with US$500,000.U could buy at least 20 houses in US big city then.
6.Bro and Sis,never accept whatever forms of assistants from foreign power.U have to pay for it,before and after u gain into power.They will tell u in the good name of advancing democracy and freedom for SG.But one of the stuff they are interested but wont tell u is the estimated US$300 billions easily cash convertable assets holding by SG!!
7.Seow,and other potential detainee may not be terrorists,But they may sell out SG.
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Noisy,
Past records of using political power to serve the selfish private party goals and power that be against dissidents and critics are too overwhelming and cannot be ignored.
Is such a government acting in the public interest or interest of the people who elected them.
Francis Seow, CSJ, Tang Liang Hong, JB Jeyaratnam, Tan Wah Peow were all victims of our lousy vindictive political culture here. There were many more.
Let a new generation of Singaporeans mature and grow up and debate whether this kind of political skullduggery or shinanigans is good for our future?
Francis Seow or CSJ may not be angels but why are they treated in such a manner that they have to turn to outside for assistance?
Who drove them in the first place to the wall to turn to US if the charge of such as played out in the propaganda is true.
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I agree with your view robertteh.
I hope that the Singapore political climate can change after Lee Kuan Yew is gone from the political arena.
Singapore political system cannot be reformed as long as Lee Kuan Yew exists.
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Originally posted by robertteh:
Noisy,
Past records of using political power to serve the selfish private party goals and power that be against dissidents and critics are too overwhelming and cannot be ignored.
Is such a government acting in the public interest or interest of the people who elected them.
Francis Seow, CSJ, Tang Liang Hong, JB Jeyaratnam, Tan Wah Peow were all victims of our lousy vindictive political culture here. There were many more.
Let a new generation of Singaporeans mature and grow up and debate whether this kind of political skullduggery or shinanigans is good for our future?
Francis Seow or CSJ may not be angels but why are they treated in such a manner that they have to turn to outside for assistance?
Who drove them in the first place to the wall to turn to US if the charge of such as played out in the propaganda is true.
many country will become boxing ring for super powers or countries giving supports to local politcians.
Imagine Seow get US$,CSJ get UKpounds,Chaim get RMB,u get RM,i get Rupees etc
2.BTW,how can i trust my life to CSJ types when he just post any articles mentioning his big names?Can he spend his time in better aspects?
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Pl note even UK do not allow foreign funding.
So,what do u want US to do---
politically----State dept etc issue statement to support opposition party in SG?
Finacially---help them to issue sweeties to voters before voting?
2.do u think SG shall take a'' peanut sum'' from GIC,Temasek to assist any US Presidential candidate to run for election?
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Noisy,
Before we start talking about the bigger boxing rings like you are suggesting casting more fear tactics to rule over our own boxing rings, we should ensure that in our own smaller boxing rings at home our boxing rules are set fairly and not have the government boxers setting its own rules and floor every other boxers before the count of 10.
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Originally posted by robertteh:
Noisy,
Before we start talking about the bigger boxing rings like you are suggesting casting more fear tactics to rule over our own boxing rings, we should ensure that in our own smaller boxing rings at home our boxing rules are set fairly and not have the government boxers setting its own rules and floor every other boxers before the count of 10.
Other ruling party WILL NOT assist oposition party to win election.Is it naive u expect PAP to help u?
2.Do u agree foreign hand shall be off from our demestic affairs?
3.I cant find LKY side story on Seow right now.Can anyone help?
This chap give other version which i find interesting.
2,189 post(s) since Febhttp://www.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/2767?page=2
12.08.2001
Francis seow is a pawn in a game between KGB, CIA, singapore ISD and malaysian intelligience service. a naive fool who played right into the hands of america.
The prize of the game is the control over the straits of melaka and singapore. with it... the control of the oil and trade flow towards the entire far east.
he who controls singapore and malaysia... controls the far east, the north east and the south east asia.
if america wins... america would literally control the entire pacific! and all the nations that rims the pacific...including japan...
if russia wins.... american influence in the far east would be slashed by as much as 50%, furthermore, all CINCPAC ships, subs and planes movement through singapore would be monitored with ease plus the CINCPAC forces would be sliced into half. the economic impact on america would be immeasurable.
the CIA detected russian KGB activities in the two countries 25 years ago.... this alarmed the american leaders.... a plan was put in place... it consist of 2 parts.
part one was to thwart any KGB attempt to gain influence in malaysia and singapore govt by providing intelligience information on KGB activities to the ISD of both country on a need to know basis... 2 malaysian malays, both personal secretary of malaysian PM was arrested after being found to be working for KGB.
part two is to establish local pro america political forces that could be put into power to american advantage in the event the current power fails to appease to american desire or if the current regime is showing signs of pro KGB tendency. seow belongs to this part of the programe.
with the collapse of soviet union... singapore opening CNB (lion note:Changi Navy Base where CVN can berth there)to america... the game came to an end with singapore malaysia and america emerge the winner... russia defaulted.. the 2 malaysian traitor and seow lost... the malaysian traitor still locked under malaysian ISD and seow lost his job as AG in singapore and becomes a useless old man in USA licking his wounds and pride. came out with a stupid book that claims absence of mandarin chicken from a 5 star hotel while he is in detention as a cruel form of torture... my godI am looking for Seow's book to tell his story how he escaped from SG??
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I am looking for Seow's book to tell his story how he escaped from SG??
Seow's book is banned in Singapore I think.
Too critical of Lee Kuan Yew.
