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Now, before I start,
I will like to wish
all the mothers here
a happy mother's day.
How many mothers do we have here?
Happy mother's day.
Thank you for sacrificing your mother's day dinner and coming for this event.
Before I begin,
I should also say that foreigners
are not allowed
to participate
in this demonstration. It's not a demonstration, but this is what the NPark regulation calls it.
Foreigners are not supposed to participate. Only Permanent Residents can, but PRs cannot speak.
So if you are a foreigner on work permit,
on employment pass,
S pass, student pass,
you are not allowed to participate.
This is under the instruction of the police, whom I believe are here...
Where's the police ah? Can raise your hand anot?
Man: Can you explain in Mandarin?
Explain in Mandarin?
This gentleman has asked me to explain in Mandarin.
Unfortunately, my Chinese is not very good. So if I speak Mandarin, I feel like I'm in a kou *** (oral exam) like that.
Man: Oh my god, what a shame, man.
In Mandarin: Everyone,
only Singaporeans can attend this gathering. If you're a foreigner,
you can only stand aside and observe.
But if you're a PR,
you can participate in this gathering.
Before I start,
I would like to introduce myself for those of you who don't know me.
My name is
Jolovan
I am a social worker by profession,
I am a social worker by training.
For the most part of my career,
I have been involved in looking into
the well-being of low-wage migrant workers in Singapore.
In Singapore, we have approximately 1 million migrant workers. So when I started this work, there were very very few NGOs who were involved in assisting migrant workers.
So that was why I felt it was
important
to provide social support services for them.
It was important that their dignity and human rights
are upheld.
I often say to people:
If all our 1 million
migrant workers
in Singapore go on strike,
our entire economy collapses. This is how important they are.
And this is also part of the reason
I and some volunteers have decided to organize this event. Because we feel that
migrant workers also contribute to this country.
Your well-being,
your struggles, are also our struggles.
In the work that I do,
I have also met
several Malaysian migrant workers
who have come to me for assistance.
These are woman
and men
who work in our factories,
who work as cleaners,
who work as security guards,
and who work as waiters, waitresses,
and kitchen assistants.
They are also the backbone of our economy.
And I have heard stories of exploitation of them,
where they are not paid their salaries,
where they are not paid their
work injury compensation claims, or when employers arbitrarily dismiss them.
And they do not have any right of redress.
The contribution of migrant workers, to me,
are important.
And that is why
I am in solidarity
with all our Malaysian friends here today,
in their struggle
for free
and fair election in Malaysia.
Tonight's program is actually quite straightforward. This is meant to be more of an intimate gathering. We have 2 speakers, including myself lined up. And then I'll be reading some statements. And then we'll be singing a song.
And then we'll be lighting candles. We will be having
fellowship and
interacting with one another.
So there are no big speeches,
no angry speeches,
even though we have the right to be angry.
Yesterday when I read the news
of the 23 Malaysians who have been arrested because they
had organized the gathering and the demonstration,
I was angry. I was angry because this was
a violation
of their
basic, fundamental freedom;
their basic civil rights.
Regardless
of your race,
regardless of your religion,
regardless of
the social class in which
you belong, human rights
are indivisible,
inalienable.
They apply to everyone.
I know there are a lot of debates, there are
a lot of concerns about the influx of immigrants into this country,
and I can appreciate many of these concerns.
When there are too many immigrants in this country,
and it compromises the welfare of everyone,
then this is something that we have to look into, and the government has to look into. We need to have restrictions on the inflow of immigrants, and look at having better protection, better labour laws, for all workers in this country. But we cannot say that when immigrants come in,
we treat them as less equal.
We give them fewer benefits, and fewer privileges.
And this also extends to the right of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly
for migrants.
Migrants and Singaporeans should have freedom of expression, freedom of speech,
and freedom of assembly.
This is a struggle that Singaporeans and migrants have
to struggle along together.
So when I heard the news of the 23 who were being arrested, and the 9
---I believe there were 9---
who were also assisting an investigation,
my heart went out to them.
And this is why we Singaporeans are here today:
to be in solidarity with these women and men
who took the courage,
took the stand,
and said:
This is what I want my country to be.
And they had the courage to say it publicly,
and they had the courage
to gather publicly
to express their view.
Right now, I am going to
read a statement,
a statement written by
200 Malaysian
social workers
and counsellors. They have asked me to read this statement
on their behalf to everyone here.
This is the joint statement
by 260 social service professionals,
entitled
Reform social welfare system,
work towards healthy 2-party political system.
We are a group of non-partisan Malaysians
and Singapore-based Malaysian social workers,
counsellors,
and mental health workers who envision a better Malaysia.
We would like to share with all campaigning political parties and candidates
our aspirations
towards building and shaping a democratic Malaysia,
and we seek
your support.
We strongly believe that
social justice is indispensable to democracy.
Under the principle of justice,
each individual is bequeathed with
equal opportunites in society,
endowed with a fundamental social liberty of autonomy
in speech and thought.
And treated with
basic human dignity
that should be preserved in all social institutions,
under all circumstances.
Our belief in
equality, justice, and fairness
are grounded in the First Article
of the United Nations'
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
10th December, 1948.
All human beings are
borne free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason,
and conscious,
and should act towards one another in the spirit of brotherhood.
We dream of a Malaysia
that upholds not only the principles of justice and fairness,
but also the respect for fundamental human liberty
and human dignity.
As such, we hope that
all campaigning political parties
and candidates
could support our aspirations
and urge the newly formed government to implement the following:
First, the formulation of a complete, fair, and
accessible social support system,
so as to allow all practitioners and community partners
to assist those in need
more effectively,
and ensure that the mental health
and well-being
of the entire society
is taken care of.
Two, the formulation of a comprehensive and accessible judiciary system,
which allows vulnerable groups
to gain access
to legal and financial assistance.
Three, the establishment of an independent police
complaint and misconduct comission,
to prevent
law-enforcement officers
from abusing the law
and to safeguard the safety of the people and society.
A clean, fair, and
transparent electoral process.
Fifth, the respect
and protection of individual rights,
religious freedom,
and freedom of speech,
and to put an end to
inequality between ethnic groups.
Six, a safe and non-descriminatory living environment for all members of society
and our future generations.
A healthy 2-party political system that keeps corruption,
non-transparency, and
cronyism in check.
The promotion of public
education in psychological well-being
and to raise public awareness about mental health issues
and channels to seek professional help.
Nine, an inclusive society that looks into the welfare and well-being of marginalized
population groups. Example: migrant workers,
indigenous people,
ex-prisoners, orphans,
single parents,
victims of family violence,
citizens living below the poverty line,
people with mental illnesses and disabilities.
To ensure that they too
can be given equal opportunity and the chance to thrive
and become
productive members of our society.
The statement ends with a quote from John Stuart Mill:
"Justice is a name for certain moral requirements,
which, regarded collectively,
stands higher in the scale of social utility,
and are therefore
of more paramount obligation than any other."
Thank you. This is a joint statement by 200 social service professionals who are Malaysians
and they are based in Singapore. Thank you.
Right now, I'm going to invite the other speaker.
His name is Alfian Sa'at.
He's a well known local poet and playwright
in Singapore. And he's going to share a few words
in solidarity with our Malaysia friends and cousins.
First of all,
thank you for gathering. I think
this is such a wonderful demonstration
of the solidarity and courage of Malaysian people
who definitely care about their country,
are strong enough to come out here on a Sunday evening.
I think all of you deserve to give yourselves a hand.
Actually I don't think I should be the one here. I do think
Malaysians should be the ones speaking and addressing
the crowd tonight.
But I think that's because of our laws.
So, on behalf of my government, I'd like to apologize
for these very repressive laws
regarding freedom of assembly in Singapore.
There's a lot of online chatter.
Basically, people are saying,
if you're foreigners, and if you come to Singapore, you should obey the norms
of the country.
Personally, I think this government's norms are not my own norms.
And these norms are also not in line with international norms. So I do think that if there's anything to take away from
that episode where
Malaysians were warned,
or even arrested by the police, I think, as a Singaporean, it's given me an insight into how weird
actually
are the laws of
this country. And I would like to thank those Malaysians
for exposing this and showing me
that this is typical of Singapore.
We are a supposed First World nation.
But our standards, our laws are not in line with international practices.
So I apologize on behalf of my government.
Those are not the norms of a lot of Singaporeans I know. Man: Eh, I thought you're Malaysian?
Alfian Sa'at: No, I'm Singaporean. I wouldn't be here if I'm Malaysian. I cannot. I'm a Singaporean.
Man: I saw your Facebook, said you're Malaysian going back to Malaysia.
Alfian Sa'at: I show you my IC later. Man: You're going back there, isn't it?
Alfian Sa'at: I go there to visit my friends. Man: No, you're going there for good. I saw your Facebook. Alfian Sa'at: No la, I'm Singaporean, really.
Man: I know your stand, your political stand.
Man: His stand is very Anwar.
So I apologize for those norms.
I was going to read something actually,
but I seemed to have lost it.
Let me look for this speech and then I'll come back.
This is a very important declaration.
It's one of the reasons why we are here in solidarity.
This is a declaration of criteria for free and fair election,
which was unanimously adopted
by the inter-parliamentary counsel at its 154th session
in Paris, on 26th March, 1994.
So this is a declaration that both
the Malaysian
and the Singapore government
have acknowledged.
It's a very long declaration,
but I've just selected abstracts
to read from.
Everyone has the right to take part
in the government of their country
and shall have an equal opportunity to become a candidate for election.
Everyone individually and
together with others have the right
to express political opinions without interference,
to speak, receive, and impart information, and to make an informed choice,
to move freely within the country in order to campaign for election,
to campaign on an equal basis with other political parties,
including the party forming the existing government.
Every candidate for election and every political party
shall have an equal opportunity of access to the media, particularly the mass communications media,
in order to put forward their political views.
Every individual and every political party has the right to the protection
of the law, and to a remedy for violation of political and electoral rights.
Every individual or political party whose
candidature,
party, or campaign right are denied or restricted shall be entitled to appeal,
to a jurisdiction competent to review such decisions and to correct errors promptly and effectively.
Every candidate and political party competing in an election shall respect
the rights and freedoms of others.
Every candidate and political party competing in an election shall accept the outcome
of a free and fair election.
The Rights and Responsibilities of State:
The State should ensure the separation of party and State,
and establish the conditions for competition
in legislative elections on an equitable basis.
They should initiate or facilitate national programs of civic education
to ensure that the population are familiar with election procedures
and issues.
Ensure that those responsible
for the various aspects of the election are trained to act impartially
and that coherent
voting procedures
are established and made known to the voting public.
Ensure the integrity of the ballot through appropriate measures
to prevent multiple voting or
voting by those not entitled thereto.
Ensure the integrity of the process for counting votes,
that the necessary steps are taken to guarantee non-partisan coverage
in state and public service media.
Furthermore, state authorities should ensure that the ballot is conducted so as to avoid fraud
or other illegality, that the security and the integrity of the process is maintained, and that ballot-counting is undertaken by trained personnel, subject to monitoring and
impartial verification.
State should take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the transparency of the entire electoral process,
including, for example, through the presence of party agents and
duly accredited observers.
State should take the necessary measures
to ensure that party,
candidate, and supporters
enjoy equal security, and that state authorities take the necessary steps to prevent electoral violence.
States should ensure that violations of human rights
and complaints relating to the electoral process
are determined promptly
within the timeframe of the electoral process
and effectively by an indepedent and impartial authority,
such as an electoral commission
or the courts.
Thank you.
I'm so sorry. I accidentally pressed the 'delete' button and it went to my Trash. So I found the speech.
It's not actually a speech. It's an excerpt from a play.
I'm going to tell you a little bit of a story.
This play is called Parah,
and it's opening in Kuala Lumpur on 16th this month.
16th of May.
And it's a play that addresses racial relations in Malaysia.
It's a play that addresses racial relations, racial politics, in Malaysia.
The thing was that, in the aftermath of the elections,
I was very uncomfortable by certain statements being made about, say...
"Chinese tsunami", for example.
And I think it did raise the temperature quite a bit,
and I know that, myself included, and a lot of my friends were upset by this
racializing of the election results.
So there's this monologue from this play
that I just like to share with you.
I'm not an actor, I'm a writer, so I shall just try to do this
the best that I can.
So this is a monologue by a
17-year-old student. His name is Kahoe. He's a Chinese Malaysian student
and he tells the audience his story.
I'm going to read it first in Bahasa Melayu, which is the language that is used inside the play, and then I'll read an English translation.
So this is Kah Ho's words.
Now I shall do it in English.