by Teo Soh Lung
Function 8 ended 2025 the Singaporean way! Meeting old friends and supporters too busy with work, family and activities during normal times. We chatted, joked, ate and sang songs, sentimental and activist songs and songs that even reminded several former ISA prisoners of prison days. Donna Donna, a song about a poor calf bound for slaughter reminded one of them about those unjust days that made singers of all those locked up within grey concrete walls. Bad experiences never really go away. They are buried deep in the mind and emerge when least expected.
The gathering did not forget two of the many who are now in self exile, namely Roy Ngerng and Terry Xu. How can a government deprive citizens of their country when all they did was to disagree with its policies? How can it enact and implement draconian laws against opponents? Roy Ngerng had criticised the CPF scheme and Terry Xu had steadfastly given voice to the voiceless in his online journal The Online Citizen. So our singers sang All I Want For Christmas Is My CPF(the link is to an earlier version from our previous gathering at The Agora) for them.
Among the guests were survivors of Operation Coldstore. They sang I Love Malaya.
Will the young PAP leaders attempt to know their history, dedication and contribution towards the independence of Singapore? They have made Malaya their home in their youth and many had been detained without trial.
Returning to the present troubled side of Singapore, Iris Koh reminded us of M. Ravi whose courageous and controversial life had sparked expressions of both love and hate. She dedicated Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now to M. Ravi.
Life is already very difficult to live to the fullest. Why would a government which has the duty to ensure a better life for its citizens, bully them and demand conformity? Why crush their lives?
So while we enjoyed a great year end party, we are also reminded of the troubled times we face today and days gone.
Happy New Year!
Leave a Reply