Jun 12, 2008
When I met Gopalan Nair last week, he was busy laying candles on the curb just outside the gates of the Changi Women Prison. I was amongst the early ones to arrive to observe the vigil meant for the incarceration of the Chees. It was way past sunset and that part of world appeared serene due to the peaceful illumination from the candles.
"Aidil!" Gopi began as he received my hand in a firm handshake. "It's good to finally meet you- the author ... Read More
Jun 9, 2008
Our enlightened journalist Chua Lee Hong wrote:
Irresponsible, reckless, impulsive, unethical are all words that describe Chee's behaviour. Interestingly, they are also all words associated with what American psychologists call antisocial personality disorder, which manifests itself in a disregard for truth and for social norms.
According to a medical website, one complication that might arise from this disorder is frequent imprisonment for unlawful behaviour.
Isn't she smart? I love her sweet, free-spirited style which is unmatched by anyone else. Going by her logic, we all ... Read More
Jun 4, 2008
It was raining as I wrote this- nineteen years ago a young Chinese journalist Yu Dongyue joined the fateful protest in Tiananmen. He threw painted eggs at the gargantuan portrait of Mao Zedong, a grave insult that was beyond the imagination of his communist masters. That was the last Yu Dongyue saw through his sane mind and what happened in the next few moments were equivalently maddening.
Chinese soldiers, backed by tanks, on June 3-4 killed hundreds of activists who had rallied for ... Read More
May 28, 2008
Many years ago former Solicitor-General Francis Seow went down to Whitley Road Detention Center to represent two persons held there. He never came home for seventy-two days. In his book, To catch a Tartar, Seow revealed one of the disturbing dialogues made by the nefarious ISD officer:
“Look, cut out all your court English. This is not a court of law. The rules of evidence do not apply here. We make the rules here. This is a kangaroo court. No one can help you, ... Read More
