New PAP book neglects founding members detained for 19 years
More criticism of the version of history in Men in White. Political detainee Lim Hock Siew on 18.3.1972, via Singapore Rebel:
I and hundreds of others were arbitrarily arrested on the 2nd of February, 1963. Many are still in prison. Ever since that day, we were, and are, unjustly and arbitrarily detained in prison without any kind of trial whatsoever for over 9 years. … On the 13th of January, 1972, I was taken to the Headquarters of the Special Branch at Robinson Road where I was detained for 40 days together with my brother, Lim Hock Koon. …
Special Branch – You must concede something so that Lee Kuan Yew would be in a position to explain to the public why you had been detained so long. Mr Lee Kuan Yew must also preserve his face. If you were to be released unconditionally, he will lose face.
Dr Lim Hock Siew – I am not interested in saving Lee Kuan Yew’s face. This is not a question of pride but one of principle. My detention is completely unjustifiable and I will not lift a single finger to help Lee Kuan Yew to justify the unjustifiable. In the light of what you say, is it not very clear that I have lost my freedom all these long and bitter years just to save Lee Kuan Yew’s face? Therefore the P.A.P. regime’s allegation that I am a security risk is a sham cover and a facade to detain me unjustifiably for over 9 years. …
Since history has fully vindicated my stand and my position, Lee Kuan Yew should openly and publicly repent to me and to all other political detainees, now unjustifiably detained in prison. By right a just and proper base for my release from my prolonged and unjustifiable detention (and this equally applies to all political detainees now under unjustifiable detention) should be : -
(a) Our unconditional and immediate release from detention and the complete restoration of all our democratic and human rights.
(b) Payment of adequate compensation to me and to all other political detainees for the prolonged and unjustifiable detention in prison.
(c) The issuance of public apology by Lee Kuan Yew to me.
We are willing and prepared to concede the last two conditions as listed above. We do not believe that an arrogant man like Lee Kuan Yew will apologise or to compensate us.
Filed under: Commentary | 4 Comments
Tags: lee kuan yew, lim hock siew, operation coldstore
Well there is one thing that always happens in Politics , when the ruling parties lose power all the truth comes out about what they did and did’nt do . This will happen to the PAP and the Lee family , and the history books will be rewritten .
Look at what happened in a lot of countries in the Asean region , Indonesia , Philippines , the truth about what happened during their dictatorships is now well published , and it is these facts that go into history.
PG you are absolutely right.
Machiavelli (idolised by LKY) advised that a leader (prince) should appear to be kind, merciful, righteous, noble and full of integrity even if, at times, he does not apply these principles. Appearance counts because there will always be a few who know his true self (his close lieutenants) but the majority will only know his manifestations and the few (who know) will not want to challenge the incorrect view of the majority for reasons that are obvious. And that is why the dirt never comes out while he is in power.
They probably will after his passing.
Tha PAP forgets everything that is not good for their image , but one thing is for sure , when they lose power and the truth comes out , history books will be rewritten.
The PAP and Singapore is no example to follow , and has nothing to give to most countries as it is only a very small city state with very little in common with most countries and has no real experience in anything except a little trade .
People used to say that England was a nation of shopkeepers , well Singapore IS THAT today
Heard his father was mistakenly arrested in a hotel in the 60′s