I wish to see more freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly in Singapore.
That said, I have this ideals for some years back partly due to the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Chee Soon Juan but for the longest of time, I prefer to sit on the fence and not bother myself with it too much cause I am afraid of certain unknown repercussions.
But it seem that when you have this yearning... you only need a catalyst to push you forward to join the cause and for better or worse, I am surprised how much enthusiasm and actions that I have partake in the pursuit of human rights in Singapore... with regards to how much to bear for the consequences, gee I really don't know.
I just told an academic researcher recently when he noticed a recent trend of young activist taking on the "route" of Dr Chee's method of civil disobedience and he asked me whether we have forgo the fear...
I guess I am still afraid, for the longest of time, I can't sleep well because of my coward inactions towards certain injustices and violations of human rights done to certain Singaporeans and people and yet despite my recent active participation to engage, I still can't sleep well due to the lingering fear that Big Brother is going to watch you :(
However I am comforted... deep inside you at least you know that between the discomfort of cowardice and courage, the latter one allows me to give a pat on my back knowing that you have fight the good fight even if you fail.
It also helps when you know that you are not alone... for a few years back, many people will think Dr Chee's actions are mad and out of touch but it acts like an exponential curve cause recently especially last year and this year, we suddenly witnessed a number of Singaporeans and people having the courage and the "madness" to do what Dr Chee has done... from the Mr Brown's protest, to the Gay picnic at Botanical Garden, the candelight vigil outside Burmese Embassy and recently within a short span of 48 hours from 19 to 20 NOV 2007, we witnessed from the International Students walk to one of the largest demonstration in Singapore since 1965 to protest against the Military Junta.
And we are not mad or gone kaput... speaking about myself, I am a sane Singaporean, have a good decent education, loves to play Xbox and with my little niece and I pride myself to know that I am a filmmaker (won SIFF awards and have films represented in film festivals) and gratefully I have just met and knew some Singaporeans who are talented and normal Singaporeans who shared the same line of actions to pursue human rights in Singapore.
One thing leads to another... because of the Military Junta's violent crackdown on Burmese monks and people, I was damn piss off and when Dr Chee organized a petition signing and vigil outside the Burmese Embassy in Singapore, I went there to show my support and I was glad to see so many concerned Singaporeans, foreigners and Burmese people going down to show their solidarity as well. From there I got to know some Singaporeans who stayed days and night outside the Burmese Embassy and I got to know them even better as we engage in small talks about the Human Rights in Singapore and from there I know I was not alone :)
We decided to form an informal group called the SG Human Rights and I will end here, it is only the beginning and let the actions speak for itself.
videos which I have recorded recently :)
18 NOVEMBER 2007 SG Human Rights Forum
19 NOVEMBER 2007 International Students Walk
20 NOVEMBER 2007 Burmese Peaceful Demonstration
