May 10, 2005

Cheng Lujin (L) and Ng Chye Huay (Epoch Times)

Over the past century, Singaporean society has been admired for its strong educational system, its explosive economic growth and its strong laws. Accordingly, its people seem unusually well-educated, civilized and law-abiding. Cities are efficient, attractive and clean.

Nevertheless, the past six years has seen a disturbing trend: the Singaporean government, which has been admired for its ability to control and educate the people, appears to have been using the law in unjust and inhumane ways.

For three years, Singaporean authorities have been tied up with a case involving two female Falun Gong practitioners, Ng Chye Huay and Chen Lu Jin. In 2002, authorities first stopped the women from practicing the Falun Gong exercises in Esplanade Park, and from distributing video CDs that clarified the truth about the inhumane persecution of Falun Gong in China. Fifteen months later, the women were charged with "Assembly without a Permit" and for "Possession and Distribution of VCDs without a Certificate."

Following the charges, Falun Gong practitioners and The Singapore Falun Buddha Society explained and appealed to various authorities, requesting that the charges be dropped. But the police refused to drop all charges completely, and insisted in pressing on with two charges. Falun Gong practitioners knew that the charges had no lawful basis, and that the women had not committed any offense; they therefore carried the case to court. Court hearings began on Nov. 30 and were conducted in three rounds over a 15-day period. The two women were found guilty last week.

The crucial point to realize is that the Singaporean government had no problem with Falun Gong practitioners before 1999. Since then, however, when China's former head ordered authorities to crush Falun Gong because of its popularity (and hence potential "threat" to the Chinese Communist Party), Singaporean authorities began to treat Falun Gong unjustly.

This is an unsettling sight. Singapore's legal system has been famous for its strictness but now the strictness specifically serves the interests of the government. For example, is it for the people's benefit that it is illegal for three or more people to gather anywhere in public?

Furthermore, the Singaporean government does not allow any group or individual to challenge its authority, even if these people or group stand on the side of morality and justice. If the government declares someone to be guilty, he must kneel down to acknowledge it or fear the unpleasant consequences. This is somewhat similar to the dictatorship of Chinese Communist Party, whose extreme policies instill fear into the people so that they will never challenge the party.

Since the current Singaporean government was established, nobody has ever heard of anyone winning a lawsuit against the government.

Likewise, we might question whether the government is looking out for its people by mandating that all materials distributed in public be pre-approved by the News Publication Bureau. In Singapore's subway stations, people frequently distribute various advertisements and fliers. People receive advertisements and promotions in their mailboxes every day. Not all these fliers are approved. Does the News Publication Bureau really intend to check every single handout?

A few years ago, when the police were conducting an investigation of Falun Gong at subway stations, my bag was searched. In my bag, they found a single CD that contained facts about the practice and its unjust persecution and accused me of owning a CD not approved by the News Publication Bureau. Actually, pornography and pirate CDs are everywhere in Singapore, including some stores. But has any store been closed down? The police have not investigated stores for this purpose. Does it seem reasonable, then, to pinpoint a single free CD downloaded from the Internet? This is absurd. Because of this CD, I received a warning from the Police Department and Immigration Department. They threatened to cancel my student visa. I still have the warning letter.

Singapore's law is apparently not intended for the safety and well-being of its people. Unlike in democratic countries, where laws serve the people, the laws issued by a dictatorial government are intended to maintain its dictatorship. Over time, such irresponsible treatment can ruin a country and its people.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/5-5-10/28633.html