Political Highlights in Singapore 2003

1. The trial of Dr Chee Vs Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong continues. Dr Chee is refused QC and his May Day appeals failed. The trial is another tactic used by government to silence opposition and press. Other examples in past include veteran opposition politician JBJ and foreign press.

2. Formation of SG Review – New E Group on Singapore Life and Politics – Edited by Mellanie Hewlitt

3. Anti-war protest by six people, including two Singaporean Muslim women outside the US embassy who are rounded off to police station as they had not obtained police permit for the event.

4. Reporters Sans Frontieres, international press watchdog group, presents Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong the “Predator of Press Freedom” award.

5. Dr Chee Soon Juan receives Defender of Democracy presented by Parliamentarians for Global Action, an international network of over 1350 Members of Parliament from 105 elected national legislatures, engaged in a range of action-oriented initiatives that promote democracy, peace, justice and development throughout the world. The dinner event took place on 16 September 2003 at the James Madison Building, Library of Congress in Washington DC. The award has been given to leaders such as former Korean President Kim Dae Jung, former Palestine spokeswoman Dr. Hanan Mikhail-Ashrawi and former Mexico President Dr Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon.

6. International Youth Conference for Democracy on 26 July at Carlton Hotel, Esplanade Room. The event gathers young MPs, activists and student leaders from 10 countries all over Asia, Europe and the US Organised by Young Democrats , The Council for Asian Liberals and Democrats, CALD and the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia

7. The banning of public forum entitled “Democracy in Burma: How can Asians help?” by Open Singapore Centre. It is co-organized by the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA), Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD)

8. Think Centre Human Rights Day Event at Oxford Hotel 6 December. JBJ awarded Human Rights Defender Award.

9. Even though the Steve Chia scandal cannot be considered “political”; the saga involves an Opposition NCMP from NSP National Solidarity Party; who was praised by the incumbent government PAP during the last election. More importantly, it reveals Singaporeans expectations towards politicians.

10. Amendment of Trade Unions Act by Ministry of Manpower after The Airline Pilots Association of Singapore (Alpa-S) case.

11. Rejection by police to grant women's rights group, TWC2 application to hold
events marking the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

12. Amendments to Computer Misuse Act intended to tighten Internet security. Amended act allows continuous surveillance of cyber-suspects and authorised pre-emptive arrest before a crime has been committed. Cyber-criminals are liable for jail terms of up to three years.

13. Hacking of Singapore Review unearths similar activities towards SDP and SNP websites in the past.

14. Worker’s Party Public Consultation Exercise on Saturday, 1 November at Straits Ballroom 1, Hotel Rendezvous. The event includes a public dialogue session to discuss the problems of the New Poor and Social Cohesion in Singapore.

15. BBC Hard Talk Interview with Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong  ¶ 4:48 pm