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Overcoming Singapore Style Authoritarianism - Challenges for Singaporean Youths

Charles Tan
Singapore
Singapore Democratic Party

 

History of the youth movement in Singapore

Singaporean youths have not always been politically apathetic. After the end of the Japanese Occupation, many Chinese students, inspired by the revolutionary ideals of Communism, became politically active in schools, clan associations and community clubs.

The most outstanding example of activism ran amok was the Hock Lee Bus Riot in 1955. Chinese middle school students went to support a strike organized by members of Singapore Bus Workers' Union who worked for the Hock Lee Bus Amalgated Bus Company. They donated food, money, organized fund raisings and entertained the strikers with songs and dances. It turned into a riot when a police tried to break up an illegal picket line.

At about the same time, a group of young activists pursued national independence. English educated and passionate, their leader was Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye and S Rajaratnam.

After these leaders formed PAP and became the government, they however decided to curb activities that challenge their status quo. Aware that universities are hotbeds for breeding political activities, they took measures to stunt their growth.

Laws were passed to prevent student unions from amending their constitutions. Physical landscapes of tertiary institutions are designed to prevent large-scale mobilisations. Student publications are read by liaison officers and plans to organise vaguely political activities are prohibited. Student unions, receiving no funding from the government, are unable to organize any political activities. This culture of de-politicization leads students to engage in harmless activities such as organising freshmen orientation camps and flag days.

Nevertheless, youths have challenged the PAP at times. One of them was a student activist, Tan Wah Piow, who was accused for inciting a riot in Pioneer Industries Employees' Union (PIEU), a government-controlled trade union.

In the fabricated 1987 Marxist plot, the government used the Internal Security Act to arrest mainly Young Singaporeans working under the Catholic Church movement.

Suffice to say, such high profile cases have become cautionary tales; and there is no evidence to show that the situation will change soon.

In an interview at the Foreign Correspondent's Association, our Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong openly declared that Singapore will not become a liberal democracy with a multi-party system for another 20 years.

Rebuilding the Youth Movement in Singapore

There is currently no visible collected youth movement in Singapore. It is hence important that youths start the momentum by revisiting our political history; identifying problem areas and strategising to overcome these restrictions.

Many have argued that there is a dim hope of creating a sustainable youth movement in Singapore as young Singaporeans are:
a) fearful of repercussions when they engage in politics
b) apathetic to politics as they have greater immediate concerns that are mainly material
c) of the mindset that PAP is "effective and efficient" in running the country

Such assumptions however cannot be valid. The protest against the Iraqi War and an attendance of mainly young Singaporeans at the anti-death penalty movement forum speaks volumes. A Singapore newspaper, TODAY, published an article on the results of a government-sponsored feedback group of 59 working youth on its political system. In the straw poll, more than three quarters of the respondents described the "opening up" of Singapore's political space as "below expectations," while 70 per cent of them wanted a two- or multi-party system, and felt the opposition parties have not been given "a fair chance to establish themselves".

There is clearly a sense of disaffection among youths despite the long-term effects of depoliticization and the current harsh climate against voicing political dissent.

While there are merits to having a single youth organization dedicating itself to political liberalization, such efforts have seen little results. When the government "attacked" groups such as Think Centre, Roundtable or Dr. Chee Soon Juan openly, youths automatically shied away from these individuals or organizations.

It is my belief henceforth that we need to adopt a slightly non-conventional approach to building a youth movement in Singapore that may have a greater chance of survival.

Civil groups, NGOs and Political Parties need to identify potential youths and youth leaders and "invest" in training these members.

Getting youths to join and stay within these organizations is not an easy task, but their priorities should include setting up youth wings with opportunities for full time employment. This is crucial as financial stability can offset peer and familial pressure to stay away from politics.

These youth organizations or branches need to be independent from their mother parties and have their own committees for organizing their own activities.

The image of Politics, often perceived as elitist, pseudo-intellectual and mostly dominated by an "older gentlemen's club" needs to be remade. Political youth organizations need to maintain their original political goals while at the same time make politics fashionable, hip and a career reality.

To create a sustainable youth movement, Opposition and civil society has to be united; and be aware that we cannot play by the changing rules set by the PAP.

As such, members of NGO should be encouraged to join political parties and contest in elections as it is the only legitimate mean to challenge the government.

Political parties and NGOs should work on certain issues together such as the death penalty movement. They have to endorse and speak up for each other when PAP attacks an individual member.

It is only when youths see a more united Opposition and civil society (instead of the more fractured current situation), would they be more willing to voice out.

Another broad strategy that has yet to seeped into the minds of the NGOs and political parties is the use of non-violence that has been advocated by Dr. Chee Soon Juan, which he explained in greater details specific to the Singapore context, in his book, "Dare To Change."

These strategies have been used to overcome dictatorial regimes, such as the People Power movement in Philippines against Marcos; and Reformasi in Indonesia against Suharto.

Singaporean activists need to adopt Non-violence, especially among the youths because

  1. The authoritarian PAP will not allow itself to be challenged under current circumstances despite its hollow calls for more openness;
  2. Non-violence appeals to the truth in us by allowing us to regain what we are entitled to; and helps us overcome our fear of the government and our obedience to unjust laws;
  3. It as been used universally to achieve popularity that will inspire others to follow;
  4. It will win over international community opinion, who will be convinced that Singaporeans desire liberal democracy; and as such motivates international pressure that the PAP is sensitive to.

I have identified five immediate political issues that Singaporean Youths can act on:

  1. The unfree and unfair Singapore Elections system. We need to recognize that electoral issues are more than just who, what and how to vote. They also include rules, regulations and the climate needed for a free and fair election.
  2. Repoliticizing Political Youth Clubs in Tertiary Institutions by demanding for greater autonomy from the institutions. This is an important area as it directly affects youth's ability to carve out their existence, credibility and ability to organize themselves to speak out against any form of injustices.
  3. Various Civil Rights Freedoms such as the Freedom of Assembly, Speech and Association that has been enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Reclaiming these rights will consolidate the fundamentals in a liberal democracy.
  4. Campaigning for a Free Media. Only when the gatekeepers are free to report on any issues will they be able to conduct investigative stories on the government, therefore acting as a responsible "check and balance". While lobbying against the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, a viable citizen journalism project can provide a stronger democratic alternative.
  5. Repealing the Internal Security Act (ISA) as a start in campaigning against other unfair laws in the Singapore statutes, and rewriting the constitution at a later date, for it has been defaced by the PAP over the years. Repealing ISA will prevent the government from arbitrarily detaining anyone it deems as "dangerous."

Youth in NGOs and political parties may choose to highlight other priorities but they should be daring in their goals; and view themselves as part of a larger youth movement.

Ultimately, the youth movement has to recognize diversity (whether identifying themselves with a single goal or joining the Opposition) but be unified with a common goal to build a liberal democracy (an environment where politics is maneuvered through deliberations and debates within civil society and political parties cohabiting in a competitive and fair environment) for the movement to be sustainable.

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References
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1. Engaging the Youths for Singapore's Next Chapter, Young PAP, http://www.youngpap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=156&mode=incubator&cid=8

2. 1955, Hock Lee Bus Riot - http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/independence/ref/hocklee.html

3. Marxist Plot Revisited, Singapore Window, http://www.singapore-window.org/sw01/010521m1.htm

4. Singapore says no to liberal democracy for next 20 years, Reuters, Oct 6 2005

5. Material issues still matter the most; Survey seeks to track how 'rooted' Singaporeans are Tuesday – Jasmine Yin, TODAY, January 18, 2005

6. The Power of Courage - Effecting Political Change in Singapore through non-violence, Dr. Chee Soon Juan