Free Burma! International bloggers to support freedom for Burma on Oct 4th
September 30, 2007
LATEST: Several Burmese nationals at the Peninsula Plaza in Singapore have told TOC that the Singapore police has stopped Burmese nationals from wearing and selling t-shirts with the words “STOP Bloodshed In Myanmar”. Many Burmese were seen wearing the shirts at the Burmese Buddhist Temple on September 29. (See report here.)
*Please help spread the word
Reproduced from the blog, Beautiful To Behold:
International bloggers are preparing an action to support the peaceful revolution in Burma. They want to set a sign for freedom and show their sympathy for these people who are fighting their cruel regime without weapons. These Bloggers are planning to refrain from posting to their blogs on 4th October but just put up one Banner, underlined with the words “Free Burma!”.
Debt of Honour: Singapore’s Ties to Burma’s Junta
September 29, 2007
This is an updated article of the one published on TOC earlier, titled “Singapore’s debt of honour”.
By Benjamin Cheah
The crisis in Burma is escalating. For the first time in two decades, the people are taking to the streets. It started with protests against the doubling of fuel prices, and the sharp increase in prices of essential goods and services. 1
It has now become a call for democracy, and freedom.
The military has seen fit to respond with tear gas, arrests, beatings, and live rounds. State television claims that there are nine dead. Witnesses believe that the true toll lies in the hundreds. 2
TOC On Site: More than 1,000 gather at Burmese temple in solidarity
September 29, 2007
By Andrew Loh
I met my Burmese contact at Toa Payoh MRT at 7 pm. A tip off had told TOC that members of the Burmese community were organizing a special prayer service to be held at the Burmese Buddhist Temple off Balestier Road.
I was expecting a couple of dozen worshippers, fifty at most. Something like a community gathering for mutual support and encouragement. As we approached the temple, I could tell I was going to be very wrong.
The temple was filled to overflowing and dozens had filled the courtyard, prepared to participate in the service standing outside the main hall and the outer grounds of the temple.
TOC Breaking News: Singaporean graduate student files application for Burma protest
September 29, 2007
The remark on Andrew Teo’s online application form to protest the violence in Burma is simple: “Free Burma. General Than Shwe: Stop the killing”.
This afternoon, Mr Teo, a graduate student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and telecommunications director by profession, filed an application with the Police licensing unit to hold a peaceful protest outside the Burmese embassy.
He is hoping to involve members of the Burmese community and concerned Singaporeans in gathering at the embassy to submit a letter of concern to the Burmese ambassador.
Mr Teo says he chose to act out of a sense of solidarity with many Burmese friends he has as a graduate student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
TOC condemns violent crackdown on peaceful Burma protesters
September 27, 2007
LATEST: Burma seals off key monasteries - BBC
LATEST: S’porean man shot and kicked by Myanmar riot police – Straits Times
In recent weeks, the world has witnessed the largest peaceful street protests against the military government to take place in Burma since the brutal 1988 military crackdown on students. The number of protesters reached a new high of over 100,000 on 24 September.
On 26 September, the military government declared a dawn to dusk curfew. Despite this, monks and ordinary Burmese citizens continued to take to the streets in protest. In response, Burma police fired tear gas into crowds of protesters and used their batons to beat the unarmed citizens, which included students and monks.
theonlinecitizen (TOC) strongly condemns the military regime’s violent response to peaceful protesters and calls on the Burma government to refrain from any further crackdown.
“That is what we are elected to do” - MP Josephine Teo
September 27, 2007
By Andrew Loh
In a letter to the Straits Times Forum Page on September 25, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh, Mrs Josephine Teo (right) said:
“I REFER to the Insight special on CPF reforms (ST, Sept 22). Journalist Li Xueying had raised a number of issues for discussion, one of which referred to an NMP’s comment that making annuities compulsory is the start of a slippery slope where the Government ‘interferes’ in what is essentially CPF members’ own money. She asked if I agree.
I replied that Government’s job is to intervene where necessary. That is what we are elected to do. Singaporeans will have to judge whether the intervention has helped to create better results”
If what Mrs Teo says is representative of the government’s views, then perhaps we should all be quite concerned. For it means that Singaporeans’ CPF money do not belong to Singaporeans anymore – that it is the government which has the final say on how and what Singaporeans do with it.
Bloggers’ reaction to protest in Burma
September 27, 2007
LATEST: Burma monastries in night raids – BBC
“Witnesses say security forces in Burma have launched raids on monasteries and arrested scores of monks..”
Please sign the petition in support of the people of Burma.
Myanmar needs our support… but the silence is deafening by No Fear Singapore
“ASEAN has used the excuse of the “principle of non-interference” to wash its hands off the affairs of the Myanmar people. Are we going to just sit on our hands and wait for the makings of another “Killing fields” before guilt forces all of us to act?”
Time to take a stand - an open letter to George Yeo
September 26, 2007
UPDATE (28 Sept): Jie Kai has informed TOC that Minister George Yeo has read the following Open Letter. TOC also understands that ASEAN ministers are in “intense discussions” about the situation in Burma.
Dear Mr Yeo,
The situation in Myanmar has taken a turn for the worse. As I write, news reports from the BBC and other respected sources report that several protestors, including monks, have been killed. Many others have been injured.
In the light of these horrifying facts, I believe it is time for the government to take stronger diplomatic action against Myanmar.
There is nothing redeeming about the rule of Myanmar by its military rulers. It has made no meaningful progress towards constitutional rule based on democracy and the rule of law. It cannot even claim to be making socio-economic progress for the country. The facts about the misrule of Myanmar by the military junta are sobering.
Monks lead protest in Burma
September 26, 2007
Latest: Burmese riot police attack monks - BBC
Below are 2 BBC reports on the protests in Burma which are being led by Buddhists monks. You can also view another BBC report here. Pictures of the protest here and here, The Democratic Voice Of Burma.
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=yt8RRGeuaLI]
Why does HDB need to increase prices of flats so rapidly?
September 26, 2007
By Leong Sze Hian
I REFER to the article, ‘HDB launches sixth build-to-order project in Fernvale.’ (ST, Sept 21).
The HDB’s pricing policy recently has increased the prices of new flats, and may lead to Singaporeans having to incur higher mortgage liabilities.
This may result in lesser CPF funds for retirement, more mortgages in arrears, defaults, etc.
