Singapore Goverment still fearful of political films
-
Singapore Goverment still fearful of political films
bulletin of what I told CNA and ST about the Government's position on the proposed amendments to the Films Act.
- That I'm standing by my original position that Section 33 and Section 35 should be repealed unconditionally, completely and immediately.
- That with the partial lifting, we're no better than where we were in 1998 when the Films Act was amended. It's one step backwards, half-step forward.
- That I rejected the proposal of an "independent advisory panel" to decide for the rest of the population what is suitable for viewing. A First World Nation who attained self-governance in 1959 should allow its people to decide for themselves. Singaporeans are mature and discerning enough.
- That when it comes to political expression, I believe in community self-moderation, not Government intervention.
- That the refusal to decriminalize "party political films" and the reluctance to disclose reasons for banning a film under Section 35 is worrying and shows up an insecure government.
- That the Government's claim that they are "protecting society" by reserving their right to ban films holds no water. A few hundred thousand people have seen 'Singapore Rebel' and 'Zahari's 17 Years' on the internet. I have not received a single complaint calling for the removal of these films. The only people who objected to the screening of these two films are the Government themselves. Whose interests are they really protecting? Singaporeans' or just Lee Kuan Yew's?
That
'Singapore Rebel' was in fact inspired by a documentary shown on CNA in
2003 on the political life of Lee Kuan Yew entitled 'Success Stories'. That 'Zahari's 17 Years' presents a counter-balance to 'Riding The Tiger',
a documentary made by CNA and the Government about the PAP's defeat of
the "Communist Left." Both 'Success Stories' and 'Riding The Tiger' are
openly available in local shops.
- That the Government has shown that it can act quickly by bailing out ailing foreign financial institutions. No reason why it can't summon the same speed in liberalising political space for its own citizens.
- That the Government has admitted that they cannot stop people from posting political videos online makes it even more imperative that Section 33 and 35 be repealed unconditionally and completely. Why bother retaining laws that cannot be enforced?
- That I'm resubmitting 'Singapore Rebel' and 'Zahari's 17 Years'. It's the only way to force the Government to define clearly what constitutes an "objective" and "factual" political film.
- That I'm embarking on a campaign to highlight other sections of the Films Act which affects and criminalizes everyone in Singapore, not just political filmmakers. http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com
-
Like all monopolies, they are fearful of competition and the exposure of the weaknesses in its outmoded and irrelevant existence.
-
One Country, Two Systems Part lll
"The essence of the rule of law is that the law applies to all."
- Singapore's Attorney General Walter Woon, Straits Times Jan 4, 2009
One Law For Them
Over 200 Chinese nationals held a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Manpower building to protest against salary arrears on December 30 2008. They were not arrested. Link here.Video here by Ho Choon Hiong (It's not Apocalypse Now but enjoy)
Another For Them
Singaporeans Seelan Palay and Chong Kai Xiong were arrested this afternoon in front of the same MOM building for staging a protest in support of Burmese nationals allegedly being forced to leave the country for their pro-democracy activities. They were released four hours later and are now being investigated for alleged criminal trespass. Link here and response by Ministry here.
One Law For This
A seven-part documentary, produced by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, which traces the ruling People's Action Party's ride to power on the back of the "Communist Tiger" in pre-independent Singapore. The DVD is freely available in Singapore.
Another For This
A still from Zahari's 17 Years, a documentary produced by local
filmmaker Martyn See which features a protracted interview with Said
Zahari, an ex-journalist accused by the Singapore Government of being a
communist and subsequently detained for 17 years without trial. It is
currently banned by the Minister of Information, Communications and the
Arts for allegedly "undermin[ing] public confidence in the government."
One Country, Two Systems Part l and Part ll -
Uncle, u keep posting like this, soon there will be laws on political films coming out. Please lah, let bygone be bygone lah, concentrate on what to do now,..get your gangs and start plotting the coup de grace rather than mumbling and posting here with all long gone people except LKY.
-
Originally posted by angel7030:
Uncle, u keep posting like this, soon there will be laws on political films coming out. Please lah, let bygone be bygone lah, concentrate on what to do now,..get your gangs and start plotting the coup de grace rather than mumbling and posting here with all long gone people except LKY.
you said so well, but do you think LKY will ever let bygone be bygone? LKY is a vicious old cunning vindictive selfish man. If LKY can be like what you said, there will be no petty law suits from him.
-
He need to earn his side income mah.
