Topic:Cause Lawyering, Mdm Vellama, and By-Elections
Guest of Honour: Mdm Vellama d/o Marie Muthu
Speakers:
Professor Kevin Y L Tan (Moderator)
M Ravi
Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss
Date: Saturday, 21 May 2016 Time: 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Venue: AGORA, Block 28 Sin Ming Lane, #03-142 Midview City, Singapore 573972
Description: Join us for an insightful session as we delve into the compelling narrative of Mdm Vellama d/o Marie Muthu, a courageous individual who stood up against the tide to challenge a significant political decision. With the discussion framed by the theme of “Cause Lawyering, Mdm Vellama, and By-Elections,” we will uncover the legal significance of Mdm Vellama’s case and explore the broader concepts of cause lawyering and its essential role in our society.
In 2012, a crucial political incident led to the vacancy of the parliamentary seat for Hougang SMC. What followed was a display of remarkable determination by Mdm Vellama, who took her challenge to the High Court, sparking a journey that brought about significant changes in Singapore’s political landscape. Through her actions, she paved the way for the revival of by-elections, which had been absent for two decades.
Our distinguished speakers will unravel this fascinating tale:
Mdm Vellama will recount her journey and the courage that propelled her to stand up against adversity.
Professor Kevin Y L Tan, a renowned expert in constitutional law, will expound on the legal implications and significance of Mdm Vellama’s case.
M Ravi, a prominent human rights lawyer, who passionately advocated for Mdm Vellama in her legal pursuit, will provide valuable insights into the broader realm of cause lawyering and its pivotal role in shaping our society.
Be part of this engaging dialogue as we explore the driving forces behind change, the impact of individual courage, and the importance of cause lawyering in shaping our nation’s path forward. The speakers will graciously engage with questions from the audience, making this an enriching and interactive session.
Topic: Three Pivotal Trends Propelling Political Evolution in Malaysia Speaker: Dr. Michael Heng (Former student activist, part-time columnist, former associate editor of Asia360 weekly, with academic affiliations in universities across Australia, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan)
Date: Sunday, 11 October 2015 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Venue: AGORA, Block 28 Sin Ming Lane, #03-142 Midview City, Singapore 573972
Description: Malaysia has taken center stage in the global spotlight for both commendable and concerning reasons. The media has been abuzz with discussions surrounding the 1MDB scandal, the vibrant yellow and red shirts demonstrations, Mahathir’s relentless bid to displace Najib, the schism within PAS leading to the formation of the dissident group Amanah, Pakatan’s transformative realignment, the tightened reins on university students, and the plight of Anwar Ibrahim behind bars. Beneath these captivating headlines lies a deeper narrative rooted in several potent forces and trends that have ushered Malaysia onto the intricate path of political metamorphosis. These forces are urbanization, shifts in demography, and the resonating impact of events in the Middle East.
Join us as Dr. Michael Heng, a versatile figure who boasts a history as a student activist, a part-time columnist, and a former associate editor of the Asia360 weekly, brings his unique perspective. With academic appointments spanning across universities in Australia, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan, Dr. Heng is equipped to paint a comprehensive picture of these transformational trends.
Through this engaging session, we will explore the dynamic interplay of these trends, unravel their influence on the political landscape, and gain fresh insights into the future that awaits Malaysia. While cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead, Dr. Heng’s discourse presents an optimistic outlook on the unfolding political evolution in Malaysia.
Topic: “Youthful Idealism of the Pioneers Club” Date: 4-6pm, Saturday, 23 May 2015 Venue: AGORA Block 28 Sin Ming Lane #03-142 Midview City Singapore 573972
They are Social Work and Sociology graduates from the University of Singapore in 1979. The memory of Geylang Catholic Centre need not be associated with Operation Spectrum alone. Besides being a centre reaching out to foreign workers, it was the location of the Crisis Centre, which aimed to help people in urgent need of temporary shelter. And behind the enthusiasm of volunteers of this Crisis Centre, there is a story of youthful idealism for the betterment of our society through the Pioneers Club.
Dr. P J Thum, National University of Singapore (History)
Dr. Loh Kah Seng, Sogang University (History)
Dr. Imran Tajudeen, National University of Singapore (Architecture)
Chair: Dr. Hong Lysa Date: Saturday, 11 January 2014 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Venue: Muse House, 22 Marshall Road, Singapore 424858
Description: In recent times, a wave of writings has surfaced, delving into the history of Singapore’s leftwing movement and its untimely cessation following Operation Coldstore in 1963, alongside subsequent suppressive actions. However, this leads us to ask, what’s next? What untold historical narratives can further enrich our comprehension of the recent past?
Operation Coldstore marked more than the conclusion of post-World War II political pluralism in Singapore; it catalysed an entirely new historical trajectory. Beyond Coldstore, there are extensive realms of uncharted histories – the era of the one-party state, propelled by foreign investment-driven industrialisation, the evolution of landscapes and nature, and the intricate process of shaping individuals into citizens.
The pursuit of bold, innovative research doesn’t culminate with Coldstore; it is, in essence, just the beginning. This workshop aims to initiate a discourse on the future pathways for uncovering Singapore’s historical tapestry.
As an added treat, we are honoured to have Artist and Cultural Medallion Recipient Teo Eng Seng guide us through his captivating art installation titled ‘History Without, Lesson Within’. This artwork provides a visual articulation of his perspective on post-1965 Singapore within the PAP era. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with history and art in tandem.
Topic: Ending the Silencing Speaker: Putu Oka Sukanta Date: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 Time: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Muse House, 22 Marshall Road, Singapore 424858
About the Speaker: Putu Oka Sukanta, born in 1939, stands as one of Indonesia’s prominent literary figures. His journey into the world of writing commenced at the age of 16, a period marked by the tumultuous pages of Indonesian history. In 1966, he was subjected to detention and torture by authorities, a consequence of his writings and affiliation with Lekra, a left-leaning artists’ association.
Emerging from over a decade of incarceration in 1976, Putu Oka ventured into an acupuncturist career while maintaining his literary pursuits. His writings have echoed the experiences of former political prisoners who faced discrimination in employment opportunities. The post-Suharto era, commencing in 1998, allowed Putu Oka to share his works both within Indonesia and on the global stage. Notably, his literary portfolio extends to encompass traditional health, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and acupressure.
Collaborating with emerging Indonesian filmmakers, Putu Oka has brought to life six documentary films capturing the tumultuous events of 1965-66. His influence has reverberated across various countries, where he’s been invited as a guest lecturer, participating in seminars, readings, and study tours centered on literature and alternative health. This international outreach includes destinations like Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Britain, Germany, Singapore, and the USA.
The significance of Putu Oka’s endeavors has been acknowledged through numerous awards. In 2012, he was honored with the Hellman/Hammett grant by Human Rights Watch in recognition of his courage in the face of persecution.
In this session, Putu Oka Sukanta will illuminate the power of breaking the chains of silence, offering insights into his personal journey as a writer, activist, and advocate for truth and justice.
Writing is media to struggle against dehumanization
Dehumanization process started when the militia and military started hunting and killing suspected communists in October 1965.
Writers and artists accused as members of Lekra, a cultural association, would be put in the prison or exiled if he was lucky enough not to be killed.
There was no protest to this mass killing from the West as well as Non-aligned Countries.
I was detained for 10 years without trial (1966-1976), and endured terrible conditions, malnutrition and diseases. I was terrorized mentally on a daily basis and prohibited from having a pencil or book throughout my imprisonment.
They moved me from prison in Jakarta to Tanggarang in West Java and back to Jakarta again. I was moved from small cells to the prison of my own country. I was subjected to discriminatory regulations set to dehumanise Ex-Tapols ( ex- political detainees) and their families (Instruction Education and Culture Ministry,No.138/1965, TAP MPRS no.25/1966, Internal Affairs Instruction 1981,no.30). The process of dehumanization works systematically and structurally.
As a writer, I use writing as a media to fight against the dehumanization process in order to be human again. The past is my backbone. In the beginning, some national newspapers accepted my writings, but later, I was barred because of political reasons. As a writer, I use peaceful ways to pursue my career. I won the Environment Story Teller award organized by Indonesian Government, and an international (NEMIS) short story competition organized by the Chilean Embassy in Jakarta. I was invited to International Popular Theatre Workshop in India, conducted regular literature readings in Goethe-Institute in Jakarta (the only public space for me), read my poems in universities in Australia, Malaysia and Europe, and published my works through alternative publishers. Some of my short stories and poems have been published in several international anthologies.
As an acupuncturist certified by the Department of Health, Indonesia, I started work with grassroots communities to increase their awareness of the rights and obligations in health, and shared my knowledge and skills of acupressure and herbal medicine.
For those activities, I had to pay a price too. The Soeharto regime detained me in July 1990 for ten days after a trip to West Germany organised by Goethe Institute. I was tortured with electrodes. They suspected that communist international organizations supported me. My health foundation and clinic were banned. But that never stopped me from working although the intelligence service strongly controlled my daily activities. The hard challenges forced me to work harder and harder. My life was tense and full of stress, but I continued to write, and was active as motivator and instructor of health, humanity, HIV/AIDS and gender equalization programs. My works in many fields have enriched my writing about the life of marginalized people. I have also made many new friends.
After the fall of Soeharto, military surveillance was visibly reduced. The first thing I did was to publish a novel “Merajut Harkat in 1999 which I started in 1979, as well as a compilation of poems “Perjalanan Penyair.” These books were inspired by my experiences in jail. The mass media took a sudden notice of my work: they were eager to discuss the books and know about me as a writer. Without any rest, I continued to write and publish health books. Since 5 years ago, I have worked with some friends to produce documentary films about the Tragedy of 1965/66 and its devastating impact on society. My human dignity is regained even though the discriminatory regulations still exist. As a writer, I continue to fight against the dehumanization process everywhere, produce films and involve myself in human rights issues.
They gave me.
they gave me a lump of courage
flowing through my veins
they gave me a shaft of light
shining within my eyes
they gave me a glass of bile
strengthening my every step
they gave me a piece of stone
which I crushed and made a road
they gave me a whip
witch tightened the muscles at the base of my tongue
what else can you give me
to test my self-respect?
(from book The Song of Starling, 1986, translator Keith Foulcher)
Topic: Navigating Merger, Acquisition, or Takeover? The Lasting Impacts of Operation Coldstore on Singapore Speaker: Dr. Thum Ping Tjin (“PJ”) Date: Tuesday, 10th September 2013 Time: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Muse House, 22 Marshall Road, Singapore 424858
Abstract: The historical merger between the Federation of Malaya and Singapore in 1963 has often been attributed to Singapore’s internal political complexities. However, a thorough understanding of the driving forces behind these complexities has remained elusive, with communist subversion commonly accepted as the underlying cause, and Operation Coldstore regarded as the solution. This seminar will challenge these assumptions using newly declassified documents and diverse sources. Dr. Thum will explore the domestic political dynamics that led to Singapore’s merger with the Federation, uncovering the interplay of internal party disputes and shifts in public support that prompted the People’s Action Party’s pursuit of political influence through the ambitious goal of Malayan reunification.
Dr. Thum will also investigate the attribution of communist subversion as a rationale for the merger, despite a lack of conclusive evidence, and will discuss how the negotiation of Operation Coldstore inadvertently laid the groundwork for Singapore’s eventual separation from Malaysia. The talk concludes with an examination of how Operation Coldstore’s legacy continues to shape the contours of Singaporean politics today.
About the Speaker: The merger of Federation of Malaya and Singapore in 1963 originated from Singapore’s domestic political difficulties. The nature of these difficulties, however, has never been adequately understood; due to a paucity of sources, communist subversion has been generally uncritically accepted as its root, and Operation Coldstore presented as the solution to a security problem. Using newly declassified documents, as well as a mix of vernacular sources, this seminar will analyse the domestic political factors that inspired Singapore’s merger with the Federation. It demonstrates how a combination of internal party strife and a decline in popularity led the People’s Action Party to seek to restore their political authority, via achieving the widely popular but extremely difficult goal of the reunification of Malaya; why – despite a complete lack of evidence for any communist subversive activity – communist subversion was blamed for necessitating merger; and how the process of the negotiation of Coldstore sowed the seeds for Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. It concludes with a discussion of the continuing consequences of how Coldstore continues to define the contours of Singapore politics today.
Thum Ping Tjin (“PJ”) is a Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore; Academic Visitor at the Centre for Global History, University of Oxford, and Co-ordinator of Project Southeast Asia at the University of Oxford. He is a Rhodes Scholar, Commonwealth Scholar, Olympic athlete, and Channel swimmer. His work centres on decolonisation in Southeast Asia, and its continuing impact on Southeast Asian governance, politics, and international relations. Recent publications include “The New Normal is the Old Normal: Lessons from Singapore’s History of Dissent,” in Donald Low (ed.), Singapore Contested: Reframing Debates in the New Normal. Singapore: NUS Press (forthcoming); “Flesh and Bone Reunited As One Body: Singapore’s Chinese-Speaking and their Perspectives on Merger”, Chinese Southern Diaspora Studies Vol 5 (2011 – 12); and two chapters in “Studying Singapore’s Past: CM Turnbull and the History of Modern Singapore” (NUS Press: 2012).
This is what PJ said after he completed the Channel Swim:
“What I did is far smaller in consequence than the challenges people face daily, like working to feed their families, getting married, having children, and saving lives. We all do great things on a daily basis, and it is these things we do that define who we are and how great we are. In short, greatness is within us all…Greatness is what you want it to be. Dream your own dreams and follow them. Whatever your dream, no matter how foolish, no matter how modest, I hope you will pursue it to the very end, and I know you too will find it as gratifying as I did”.
