if you've read the papers today...

you might have noticed that 5 SDP members were arrested for holding placards outside the Istana. The story read a bit like a primary school's student piece of work. about how the police ask them to move here move there, then they move here move there, then they tell them its illegal then you know the rest....

you know i like news with a bit of punch, you know not reading news that takes the ministry words as the absolute truth without actually checking to see if the numbers are correct and adds up.

but anyway, the intelligent singaporean in me was just thinking..... here Singapore is, appearing to condemn the junta for their acts against human rights, and expressed 'revulsion' at the Junta, here in our backyard, the police have arrested the FOUR SDP members who are demonstrating and one guy who was videotaping.

i wonder if any international media got hold of this event.

Oh by the way, for those who do not yet know, you can actually find out about our laws and constitution here athttp://statutes.agc.gov.sg/.

go there click on constitutional documents, click on our constitution, then scroll down to Part IV, fundamental liberties, select '14 Freedom of speech, assembly and association'

it may surprise you, but it reads

Freedom of speech, assembly and association
14. —(1) Subject to clauses (2) and (3) —
(a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and
(c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations.

(2) Parliament may by law impose —
(a) on the rights conferred by clause (1) (a), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of Parliament or to provide against contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence;
(b) on the right conferred by clause (1) (b), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof or public order; and
(c) on the right conferred by clause (1) (c), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, public order or morality.

(3) Restrictions on the right to form associations conferred by clause (1) (c) may also be imposed by any law relating to labour or education.

Is the police acting separate from what our government feels because of the fear of too much work, you all know how our civil service works! I am not even going to talk about the coffee breaks or tea breaks or lunches or reading of papers at 3pm and coming to work at 1030am......

or are they working at the directives of our government? Are there any middle level people who are trying to second guess what our leaders want and are playing on the safe side of things?

i am not sure, but oh well. go figure..