Function 8 is firmly committed to advocating for the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA), a cause that we consider of paramount importance.
As active participants in civil society, our mission is to work towards the removal of the ISA due to its oppressive and severe characteristics. Rooted in the era of British colonial emergency rule, this legislation has been repeatedly employed by the PAP government to stifle political adversaries and dissenting opinions. The ISA grants the authority to suspend fundamental legal protections, allowing for arbitrary and indefinite detentions without the necessity of a trial. Such a legal framework is in direct contradiction to the principles upheld by contemporary societies and communities that uphold the value of adhering to a just rule of law.
The video featured above was recorded on February 2, 2013, at Hong Lim Park during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Operation Cold Store. It serves as a poignant testament to the individuals who raise their voices in favor of justice, democracy, and human rights. The years spanning from 1959 to 1990 saw the imprisonment of more than 2600 individuals under the auspices of the Singapore Internal Security Act.
Learn more about Operation Coldstore and Spectrum below:
Operation Coldstore
Operation Coldstore was a significant event in Singapore’s history that took place in 1963. It was a security operation carried out by the government of Singapore, then a part of Malaysia, with the aim of neutralising alleged communist subversion and maintaining political stability. The operation involved the arrest and detention of numerous individuals associated with leftist groups.
Here’s a brief overview of Operation Coldstore:
Background:
- In the 1950s and 1960s, there was a growing communist insurgency threat in Southeast Asia, including Singapore. The Malayan Communist Party (MCP) was active in the region, seeking to establish a communist state through armed struggle.
- The Singapore government, led by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, was concerned about the spread of communism and its potential to destabilise the country. The government believed that certain leftist individuals and groups posed a threat to national security.
Operation Coldstore:
- On February 2, 1963, Operation Coldstore was launched. The Singaporean authorities arrested more than 100 individuals, including prominent politicians, trade unionists, journalists, and activists, who were suspected of having communist affiliations or sympathies.
- The detainees were arrested under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance (PPSO), a colonial-era law that allowed for detention without trial in matters of national security. The government claimed that the operation was necessary to preempt potential subversion and violence.
Impact and Controversy:
- Operation Coldstore had a profound impact on Singapore’s political landscape. Many of those arrested were members of left-leaning political parties, trade unions, and student organizations. Their detention significantly weakened the leftist opposition in the country.
- The operation was met with criticism and controversy. Some believed that the arrests were politically motivated and aimed at eliminating political opponents. Others saw it as a necessary measure to counter communist threats.
- The government’s stance on Operation Coldstore has remained a subject of debate. Supporters argue that it was crucial for maintaining political stability and economic development in Singapore. Critics, on the other hand, view it as an infringement on civil liberties and a tactic to suppress dissent.
Aftermath:
- Operation Coldstore played a role in shaping Singapore’s political landscape in the years leading up to its separation from Malaysia and its subsequent independence in 1965.
- The detainees were held without trial for varying periods, with some being released after a few years and others remaining incarcerated for over a decade.
- The operation contributed to the transformation of Singapore into a stable, prosperous, and tightly controlled nation under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew’s People’s Action Party (PAP).
In conclusion, Operation Coldstore was a pivotal event in Singapore’s history, marked by the mass arrest and detention of individuals suspected of having communist affiliations. It continues to be a topic of historical analysis and debate, reflecting differing perspectives on the necessity, motivations, and implications of the operation.
Operation Spectrum
In 1987, the Singaporean government accused a group of individuals, many of whom were affiliated with the local left-wing movements, of plotting to overthrow the government and establish a Marxist state. The government claimed that these individuals were involved in a conspiracy to undermine Singapore’s security and stability.
Several prominent activists, church workers, and academics were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), a law that allows for detention without trial in matters of national security. They were accused of being part of a clandestine Marxist conspiracy, although some of them denied the allegations.
The government’s actions were met with controversy and international criticism. Some argued that the arrests were politically motivated and designed to suppress dissent. The detainees were held for extended periods without trial, and some claimed to have been subjected to harsh interrogation methods.
Over time, some of the detainees were released, while others remained imprisoned for years. In the years that followed, the government gradually softened its stance on these individuals, acknowledging that the threat they posed was not as severe as initially claimed. Eventually, all the detainees were released.
The events of the “Marxist Conspiracy” in Singapore remain a subject of debate and discussion. Some view it as a necessary step to maintain national security, while others see it as an episode of political suppression and human rights violations. The incident continues to be a significant and contentious part of Singapore’s modern history.