Rilek1Corner

Tag: liberty

  • The Economist Got Reminded – Bigotry And Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech

    The Economist Got Reminded – Bigotry And Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech

    High Commissioner to the UK Foo Chi Hsia has responded to an article by The Economist, saying it is not true teen blogger Amos Ye was prosecuted here for political dissent and not for making vicious statements about Christians and Muslims as implied in the report.

    On Mar 30, The Economist published the article, titled An outspoken Singaporean blogger wins asylum in America, which talked about how a US immigration judge granted Yee asylum, and the reasons for doing so. The article cited the judge’s reasons, including that while the blogger was legally prosecuted under Singapore law, his prosecution served a “nefarious purpose – namely, to stifle political dissent”.

    In a response published by the UK-based weekly on Apr 12, Ms Foo, referencing specific comments against Christians and Muslims made by Yee in 2015 and 2016, said The Economist may agree with the US judge that such bigotry is free speech, but Singapore “does not countenance hate speech” as it has “learnt from bitter experience how fragile racial and religious harmony is”.

    She added that contrary to the suggestion in the article, Singapore’s laws on contempt do not prevent fair criticisms of court judgements.

    “Singapore’s court judgments, including on Mr Yee’s case, are reasoned and published, and can stand scrutiny by anyone, including The Economist.”

    This is not the first time Ms Foo has responded to an article by The Economist. In March this year, she took issue with an article alleging restrictions on free speech in Singapore, saying that no country gives an absolute right to free speech.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • How Credible Are “Scholars” Who Learn About Islam From Western Institutions?

    How Credible Are “Scholars” Who Learn About Islam From Western Institutions?

    # Islamic Scholars from Secular & Western Universities?

    While neighbouring countries celebrate local & overseas scholars who attained doctorates in Islamic universities such as Jordan, Egypt & Saudi Arabia, and take knowledge from them.

    Why then are we taking knowledge & promoting local & overseas scholars from Western universities such as those in Cambridge & Oxford, and secular universities such as those in staunchly secular Tunisia?

    And who can we credit for this idea of sending students for Islamic studies to secular & Western universities and to eventually promote & propagate a brand of Islam with liberal & orientalist leanings?

    “Religion as a knowledge does not belong to religious institutions, but rather to SECULAR higher learning colleges. And if we speak about qualified higher learning institutions, WESTERN universities are the most competitive ones.

    Thus, if you want to study Islam, particularly Indonesian Islam, it should not be at UIN or a Middle Eastern institution, but rather at such universities as in the Netherlands, the United States, or Australia.”

    ~ Luthfi Assyaukanie (co-founder of Liberal Islam Network, Indonesia), “Where we go to study Indonesian Islam?”, Jakarta Post, 25 June 2010

     

    Source: Islamic Sg

  • Martyn See’s 12 Tips For Political And Human Rights Activists In Singapore

    Martyn See’s 12 Tips For Political And Human Rights Activists In Singapore

    My 12 tips for Political and Human Rights Activists in Singapore.

    1. Read the law thoroughly, particularly the ones that the PAP will use to trip you up, namely Sedition Act, the new Contempt of Court law, Public Order Act (holding a public indoor forum featuring a foreign speaker is illegal), defamation laws, Films Act, MDA Licensing Scheme, Cooling-off Day regulations, Penal Code.

    2. Being an activist is a good way to filter your friends. If certain people start avoiding you, then you know they are not worthy friends anyway.

    3. Family members and close friends will try to dissuade you. They are usually the biggest fearmongers in your life. Listen politely but always follow your own conscience.

    4. Bear your own responsibility for your speech and action. Never implicate others.

    5. Live your life as you normally would. If you labour under the (imaginary) fear of being under constant surveillance, you already short-changed yourself and the people around you.

    6. Campaigning should be fun and energizing. If it becomes a begrudging chore or bore, take a break and recharge.

    7. Yes, there are government moles within the opposition ranks and in civil society. They usually have friendly and pleasant personalities. They are likely to stay in the background and will not be too strident in their political views, but will offer to photograph, video or take notes. Most people unwittingly allow them into their organisation because they are short of manpower. But do challenge these dodgy types to display a public commitment to the cause. Otherwise, keep them out of the inner loop.

    8. From time to time, organise leisure activities with fellow activists from other fields. Watch the tension, friction and squabbles dissipate, like magic.

    9. If you haven’t had run-ins with censorship or the police, the government probably does not take you seriously.

    10. Be thoroughly prepared for your home to be raided by the police one day, to face arrest, and most of all, to spend time in prison. To be at peace with such a prospect frees you up to speak your mind fearlessly and to make decisions without regret.

    11. Draw inspiration from the ones who have suffered and sacrificed so much before us. For example, whenever I think of what Chia Thye Poh, Said Zahari, Lim Hock Siew and their families had to go through, my own worries become embarrassingly trivial.

    12. Forget about the results and the rewards. These things are out of your control. Do the work because your conscience is pricking you and is keeping you awake at night.

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    Your guide to dealing with police interrogations.

    http://singaporerebel.blogspot.sg/…/activists-speak-about-t…

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    Good night, and good luck.

     

    Source: Martyn See