Singapore’s ruling party embarrassed by publication of a White Paper on its “repression” worldwide
November 8th, 2009 | 
Author: From our Correspondent
Singapore’s ruling PAP suffered another damaging blow to its international image and prestige following the worldwide publication of a White Paper by law firm Amsterdam & Peroff about repression in Singapore.
The paper was spear-headed by Mr Robert Amsterdam, a prominent international human rights lawyer and an expert in corporate disputes.
The White Paper – “The Repression of political freedoms in Singapore: The Case of opposition leader Dr Chee Soon Juan” documents the repression of political freedoms in Singapore and outlines how the Government of Singapore, under the leadership of the People’s Action Party (PAP), has monopolized the state’s apparatus to its own benefit. The result has been the denial of basic democratic rights and freedoms.
The press release by Amsterdam & Peroff was given extensive publicity by major news organisations like MSN, AOL, National Examiner and Reuters as well as global investment and trade organisations like Forbes, Breitbart, EuroInvestor and Bizjournals.
Singapore’s Law Minister Shanmugan had earlier pleaded with an audience of American lawyers from the New York State Bar Association attending a conference in Singapore to understand and accept Singapore’s “unique” situation which warrants the need of certain laws to maintain public order and social stability.
The Singapore state media featured his speech prominently which was largely ignored by the international media.
The White Paper has managed to reach an international audience of a few hundred million people whose impression of the Singapore government is likely to be influenced by it.
For all its clout and control over the local media, the Singapore government has very little leverage over the international media. In fact, it has managed to peeve off many prominent news agencies by launching a series of defamation lawsuits to silence them in the past.
The Singapore government has opted to maintain a dignified silence on the White Paper so far.
With world leaders attending the APEC meetings to be held in Singapore next week, all eyes will be on its use of repressive laws to curtail the civil rights of its citizens and defamatory lawsuits to cripple its political opponents and critics.
The White Paper calls upon foreign governments, NGOs, and the media to put pressure on the Government of Singapore to act on the demands of the political opposition as well as for APEC leaders attending the November 12-14 Summit in Singapore to meet with representatives of civil society in Singapore, including Dr. Chee, leader of the SDP; – ASEAN to establish a viable Human Rights Commission.
Singapore’s pro-business ruling party has turned a deaf ear to criticisms from international NGOs on the lack of political freedoms in Singapore. Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew dismissed them as a “conspiracy” to “do us in”.
International media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked the Singapore media 133th out of 175 countries on its world press freedom index in 2009 below Kenya, Guinea and Congo which drew flak from Mr Shanmugan.
U.S. NGO Freedom House wrote in its latest annual report that Singapore is not an “electoral democracy” though elections are held on a regular basis every five years due to the lack of other key components of a functioning democracy such as a relatively free press and civil society.
The International Bar Association Human Rights Institute gave a damning indictment on the use of defamation lawsuits by PAP leaders to cripple the opposition in a comprehensive report released in 2008. (Download the report here):
“Another area in which the independence of the judiciary is of concern is the cases involving the courts hearing defamation claims initiated by PAP officials……the slim likelihood of the successful defence of an action, combined with the extraordinarily high damages awarded in defamation cases involving PAP officials sheds doubt on the independence of the judiciary in these cases. The courts in defamation cases have substantial discretion in awarding judgment and damages.
Under Orders 14 (Summary Judgment) and 78 (Defamation Actions), the court has substantial discretion to resolve the case without a hearing in open court and to permit the quantum of damages to be determined by a Registrar in chambers.”
The Attorney-General Chambers of Singapore which jailed three Singaporeans for wearing T-shirts with a “kangaroo” on them in front of the supreme court last year had not taken legal action against the IBA yet.
Given the mounting international criticisms and negative publicity on the ruling party and the system put in place to perpetuate its political hegemony, it remains to be seen how long they can continue to put up the charade to deceive the world that Singapore is an “exceptional” democracy.
Posted in Editorial
Coz it’s true to character of...
It was also fully reported on http://www.globeinvest.com – its like a Canadian Report on Business on Nov 4, 2009.
Why sue the messenger?
1. Aug 2005, Lee Kuan Yew said must sue
Asia Time
Aug 2005
The Making of Singapore
IME: Couldn’t you have been lighter on the opposition—not sue?
LEE: No. If you don’t sue, repetition of the lie [makes it credible]. It will be believed …
2. July 2008 IBA publish report on concern of independence of judicicary of Singapore.
July 08, 2008
08/07/2008
Report by IBAHRI express concern about limitations of freedoms of expression in Singapore
In a report released today, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expressed concern about limitations on the freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press, and of the independence of the judiciary in Singapore. The report, Prosperity versus individual rights? Human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Singapore, makes 18 recommendations (pages 67-68), which the IBAHRI urges the Singapore Government to implement as a matter of priority.
3. Sept 2008, Singapore govt through its Ag sue the Wall street and Dow Jones for reporting the IBA report.
Why they dont’ sue IBA?
Singapore to sue Wall Street Journal for contempt of court
Tajikistan News.Net
Friday 12th September, 2008 (IANS)
The Singapore government plans to sue the publishers and owner of the Asian edition of the Wall Street Journal (WSJA) for two articles questioning the impartiality and integrity of the Singapore judiciary.
Singapore attorney general’s office Thursday issued a statement saying it has sought permission from the court to institute contempt of court proceedings against the newspaper’s owner, Dow Jones Publishing Company (Asia) Inc., for articles published in the newspaper that ‘impugn the impartiality, integrity and independence of the Singapore judiciary’.
………The other editorial commented on a report by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute alleging executive interference in the judiciary…….
I doubt they are ‘Embarrassed’ since no one will actually dare say anything in their face. Misleading title on an otherwise ok article.
Call “Neo Lkyism” politics…
Which IS… In REALITY… A ROJAK Mixture… of whatever EXISTING Political System “INGREDIENTS”… That Will SERVE his Advantage OVER anyone else in Singapore!!!… like!!!???…
1. Communism for dealing with citizenx!!!?…
2. Capitalism for Pro-PAP Inc. in TH & GIC Business!!!?…
3. And Republican Singapore Inc. in External AND Internal Business!!!?… but WITH PAP government HOLDING “The Supreme Power”… and NOT It’s PEOPLE as the two case in a Republic/Republican State…
4. Much like GW Bush and some other US Republican Presidents who have MANIPULATED Congress in “Power Play’ and his people’s minds for his own advantage.
And so the “Neo Lkyism” political system is a “blurred” new order that no other governments operating in OTHER “…ism” or “…tic” sytem environment can ever “FIGURE” OUT “Neo Lkism”…since it hasn’t yet been given a political system name!!!…
MINDSET… TO ENTRENCHED… And NARROWED down INTO… A Specialise Domain… ARE HAMMED IN… And… Thau LOST it’s Ability TO… “Think OUT of The(ir) Box(ed)” MINDS!!!…
Not that I don’t have any speciality… but the ‘cut’ IS that I ALWAYS REFUSE TO ACCEPT A GIVEN REASON… UNTIL THE INTENTION/FACTS/CAUSE FOR “IT” IS MADE KNOWN… AND SUPPORTIVE OF IT’S CAUSE AND EFFECT!!!…
BIG QUESTION!!!…: Do PAP Ministers speak a lot more in stuts and stops… OR… Do they say things without that now PAP Classic OF… “Uniguely Singapore” thing coined ‘by’ STB???…
SO NOW… DO WE at all know The Source of THIS “Unique” thing
IS???… You THINK that IT IS by STB??/… in a TOTALITARIAN AND MONARCHY state???…
Indeed we’ll be NUTS if we do!!!
@janetnt
They know the Papies cannot handle the truth – hence don’t confront them. They are just helping us to spread the word via the internet. Now the ball is in our coure and t is all up to us the people of Sg to kick them out.
Singapore model , in my humblest opinion, is based on not offending china, usa and india etc.
This is its constraints, if you will.
When All humans in the city cannot CHANGE the situation, its time to call on the internation.
Clap Clap Clap!
@Brendan
I am referring to the frequent point that TR usually try to sensationalize their article with incorrect/misleading title to increase their readership, which i believe they admitted to in a previous post.
Yes yes, kick them out, but replace them with who? Even if PAP don’t sue. I still won’t vote for the likes of James Gomez. So unless some talented hero steps up, we all can shout till our throat dry and still no change will come.
“Yes yes, kick them out, but replace them with who? Even if PAP don’t sue. I still won’t vote for the likes of James Gomez. So unless some talented hero steps up,”
Will you be the one ? Replace by who ? When Japanese invade China, did the Chinese ask after Japanese lost, China will be replaced by who, will we better off with Japanese then ? Or the Chinese rather let “the Japanese invade until some talented steps up” ? Singapore, like China, has a lot of talent, don’t you worry too much. Out of millions people, you tell me none of them can do the job ? Or did you take your opinion from PAP that only PAP people can do the job or the old fart said there is no talent other than Sissy Loong and HoJinx to run Singapore and TH respectively ?
All we need to do is to replace by lesser devil.
@janetnt – I heard of some people in your predicament, they are said to have spoiled their vote. Not sure if that is true.
“Yes yes, kick them out, but replace them with who? Even if PAP don’t sue. I still won’t vote for the likes of James Gomez. So unless some talented hero steps up, we all can shout till our throat dry and still no change will come.”
I am prepared to give any oppo a chance including CSJ, even a lousy oppo is better than a lousy PAP. Period.
At least the oppo isn’t likely to suck your money dry. If the oppo is lousy, the PAP (which afterall, is just a party) and other oppo can take over. That IS the fundamental purpose of elections. People decide.
In tearms of pressing for reform, CSJ does it handsomely. What else can you do without state resources?
My sugesstion is to read more about them before shooting from the hip.
Amsterdam & Peroff
Size of Organization: 2
Year Established: 1980
Main Office: Toronto, Ontario
Web Site: http://www.amsterdamandperoff.com
Telephone: 416-367-4100
Facsimile: 416-367-0076; 416-367-1334
wow, a 2-partner corporate law firm having the men in white quaking in fear. not.
REPRESSION in singapore is very REAL … WORLD please turn your eyes here and HELP US!!!
SOS SOS SOS SOS SOS
//Brendan
Yeah, so keep a pack of rats to feed on you rather than attempt for change?
You deserve to fail.
//Brendan
Sorry I was referring to the likes of janetnt.
She is the kind where she prefers to sleep with a pack of rats, feeding on her rather than attempting for change.
She doesn’t even want to give incentives to the pack of rats to change: like losing their million dollar salaries.
embarrassed? since when?
“wow, a 2-partner corporate law firm having the men in white quaking in fear. not.”
Not surprising because all these 2 men believe that justice will prevail and there is more good men willing to join the ecosystem in the word for rule of law (similar to what Linus did for Linux ecosystem). Therefore quantity does not matter in this aspect. However, our kangaroos are different because they feel so insecure that they want the best talent in Singapore to work for PAP (so you see them poach successful business-man and lawyers to be become PAP man), and want to monopolise talent to ensure that the regime will be in power forever. However, even majority of talented man does not want to work for PAP and have their name and conscience tainted for been kangaroo for sake of money. Singapore must be very unique in the world as even law-man is unwilling to contest for post in the gov legal office ! That speak how much kangaroo is our kangaroos ! Long live the kangaroo !
Yes yes there are alot of hidden talent in Singapore, but unlike post WW2 China, they have to step up FIrst then PAP can be replaced, not PAP step down first then we look for people to replace them. duh
is CSJ a lesser Devil? we let the people decide. For sure he is incomparable to Ang Sun.
give any opp a try? Look at what chen shui bien did to taiwan…i for one think my ricebowl and family so the value of our dollar is too huge a risk to gamble on.
Obama said that they need change and people believe because he stepped out and make change. So unless some real opposition (talent) step up and say that, we can continue to rant in this board till the cow comes home.
//janetnt
Yeah right, the future of Singapore is better in pap hands with its pack of rats feeding off Singaporeans.
As if with current policies of PAP, your rich bowl is protected.
PAP will never say that your rice bowl is protected.
The only ones with protected rich bowls are theirs.
so, you are one of them sent to undermind TR.
You should really thank tr for giving you a job.
“Yes yes there are alot of hidden talent in Singapore, but unlike post WW2 China, they have to step up FIrst then PAP can be replaced, not PAP step down first then we look for people to replace them. duh”
What happen to Francis Seow ? what to Devan Nair ? Didn’t these people step up from PAP ? What happen to them ? Didn’t JB step up ? What happ to him.
Did you not recall how when contestant step up for election against President Nathan, of how portray and trampled by his own colleague in GLC ?
“is CSJ a lesser Devil? we let the people decide. For sure he is incomparable to Ang Sun.”
YOU seriously have problem. Whenever talk opp party, the only kind that spring is Dr Chee ? You are the one that compare him to Ang Sun, and no one. Dr Chee is Dr Chee.
“give any opp a try? Look at what chen shui bien did to taiwan…i for one think my ricebowl and family so the value of our dollar is too huge a risk to gamble on.”
That’s pretty ironic because what Chen Shui bien did to Taiwan is pale in comparison of what Lee and his family do in Singapore. Billions go unaccounted for, and miraculously it just move on, and no one allow to do further investigation, not even CPIB since under PM Lee. Ironic and surreal ? Have you ever figure out why Chen get caught and jail ?
“Obama said that they need change and people believe because he stepped out and make change. So unless some real opposition (talent) step up and say that, we can continue to rant in this board till the cow comes home.”
How naive and stupid can one be ? You don’t have to rant till the cow comes home because when the PAP get all wards back, there is no need to rant anymore. Don’t you think so ?
The Profit A Profit has lost its moral ground and dignity to govern this city for the past 44 years for its citizens… the day its arrive, history will be rewritten on the rise n fall of this 1st world city…to be understudied by world academics on how it castrated its citizens to bring in New World orders.
y do i get the feeling that janetnt is some pap cocksucking slut… hmm…
there r ppl in sg who are stepping up to make a change, just that some clueless bitch doesn’t know that pap actively suppresses and indicts these few brave ppl and casts them in bad light using state propaganda.
whores will be as ignorant as whores. can’t expect them to be enlightened overnight.
Exposer are you arguing for the sake of arguing or are you seriously trying to solve the problem?
Get your sequence right, no change will come if there is no election(walk over).
So if you want change, before u ask people to vote, pls ask ppl to stand first.
If you think I am the enemy, then continue your rant against me then.
Shingz, I have met ’some people’ (non-pap) at grass root level and so far non impress me. When someone do impress me then I will vote for him.
While I support the open of media freedom in Singapore and space plus equality for opposition. I do not think Dr Chee should be portray as a political victim fighting for human rights. To me, he is no where near the ranks like Jeyaretnam. If he ever become a PM, Singapore would collapse. While PAP is no angel, Dr Chee is certainly so savior either. This are my humble opinion.
While I support the open of media freedom in Singapore and space plus equality for opposition. I do not think Dr Chee should be portray as a political victim fighting for human rights. To me, he is no where near the ranks like Jeyaretnam. If he ever become a PM, Singapore would collapse. While PAP is no angel, Dr Chee is certainly no savior either. This are my humble opinion.
janetnt on Sun, 8th Nov 2009 11:34 pm
“give any opp a try? Look at what chen shui bien did to taiwan…i for one think my ricebowl and family so the value of our dollar is too huge a risk to gamble on. ”
Well, let’s face it. You may not wish to gamble, but the PAP does. Just look at how they are gambling our safety and security at the expense of two casinos. This immense level of security which they helped build (although some credit to the people as well) so you can sleep safely at night will be lost in an instant. Think about it.
Why are they so hellbent on having them here? Isn’t our sucess a vindication that we don’t need these?
Can you be sure they will have you and your family interest at heart? Unless you are the within the elite circle, of course.
//NotAnotherRisLowPls
well said.
I wish I could express it as well as you did.
This is an outrages claim, MM Lee MUST SUE them for defamation!
But then, will the courts in USA be presided by Kangaroos?
Dear janetnt:
It is interesting that you mentioned what chen shui bian did to taiwan. If memory serves me right, CSB and his party were the ruling govt for 2 terms. Under his control, his corruption was kept covered up, and it was only after Ma Yin Jeou came to power that CSB’s deeds were exposed.
The real moral of the lesson is that every govt needs checks and balances (read: significant opposition) to keep it in place. Give any party too much power, and abuses start happening secretly. Who knows what lies under the carpet of Singapore right now?
//MyHumbleOpinion
When Chee becomes PM, you shouldn’t be blaming him.
You should blame pap for screwing up so badly that even Chee can become pm.
There is n’t much left for you to lament at that point.
PAP probably lost every thing away by them.
Singapore didn’t fail because Chee became PM.
It certainly must have failed before he should take over.
never trust a politician, but at least we can make them fight each other…
time to restore balance to the FORCE, vote for change, vote opposition!!!
I dun feel any repression living in Singapore.Infact , i am happy. i do agree that the government controls the media except the internet of course) You know, i dun need the the so call freedom of speeches, free press and human rights craps.Bottom line is , I feel happy living in SIngapore. While i dun always agree with all the goverment policies, i think the government is doing a fairly good job in general.And that, i think a lot of people will agree with me.
janetnt,
I will not respond to you anymore because just by reading your reply will probably land me with some serious heart-attacks. I still want to reserve my life to witness the downfall of the arrogant and corrupted PAP government.
If you want to sharpen your thinking and to wakeup your idea, read this grade-A blog (make me believe that he is a very rare, outstanding debater with excellent analysis skill)
http://trulysingapore.wordpress.com
@Darren and MyHumbleOpinion,
Are you one of those ghost writers IB that are being tasked to smear SDP and Dr. Chee? From your postings I deduced that you think that Dr. Chee is incapable to lead the country. What makes you think that? Can provide examples?
If you want to smear someone capabilities, you must have something to base on for example “PM LHL went missing from the media after Mas Selamat incident, and when he spoke to the press after his father did and said “What to do, it happened.” showed his inability to handle exceptional incidents.”
So what is your take on Dr. Chee?
@ Darren on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 12:57 am
@ MyHumbleOpinion on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 12:59 am
WAS THAT ONE GHOST AND TWO MINDS OR TWO GHOSTS AND ONE MIND.
That tells it all or does it NOT??
Thoughts police and witching bureaucrats sexing up petty laws to impress citizenry how skillful thugs democratically oppress law and order.
To prove its point, the PAP and the government must sue outside of Singaporea. They have so far only dared to sue in Singapore except in the Devan Nair case which they tried to sue in Canada and did not manage to get a judgement in their favour from the courts there.
I doubt if they will venture outside of Singapore to sue anyone. No doubt they will fail.
They can only succeed in the Singapore courts. Does it mean that Singapore courts have its own unique standards of justice? Or simply it is a loaded dice.
Freedom of speech is an illusory right favored by the media – to protect themselves in case of error in reporting (probably due to the lack of proper research). When the threat is high enough, any govt would use different forms of legal means to protect their interests (and claim to protect their citizens’ as well). It’s only a matter of how much and how extreme a measure they’re willing to adopt. I don’t care much about foreign media trying to ‘free’ us. I doubt they even care much about our wellbeing, except their own freedom to report on whatever they want about Singapore. As long as I could publish my findings (backed by extensive research) on the internet, I don’t care much about their ‘control’ over the local media.
ANOTHER “MUST READ” FOR THOSE
ATTENDING THE APEC MEETING !!!!!
@SG mutant on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 10:39 am
…… “It’s only a matter of how much and how extreme a measure they’re willing to adopt. I don’t care much about foreign media trying to ‘free’ us….”
You mean you don’t mind the humanity consequences of “Operation Spectrum” and “Operation Coldstore” ? Dhanabalan mind – SERIOUSLY.
You mean you don’t mind the political chicanery, lies, deception of housing crisis, over-population due to uncontrolled migration, economic mismanagement concealed neatly via the non-transparency of governance?
You mean you don’t mind thoughts police and buureaucracy patnering hand in gloves screwing around with petty laws to turning this nation into a political wilderness of silent anguish and misery and oppressing the decency of law and order in a hypocrisy?
Or perhaps you are blind to reality and pains in society?
You have your preferred choice of course. I respect the rigour of foreign press in debating public policy issues everywhere in true democracy.
Enough said!
When i refer to CSB, i was not referring to his corruption. I was referring to his other policy.
Guys… Actually, I may know the reason why people don’t speak up against the government. They’ve installed box-like devices on every street corner, which make everyone docile and easily exploitable! That’s the only reasonable explanation why the PAP got 60+ % of the vote despite having lies, deception of housing crisis, over-population due to uncontrolled migration, economic mismanagement!!!!! I mean, if that were true, surely so many people wouldn’t vote for the PAP?
I heard that aluminium is able to block against these rho-waves, so the solution is to wrap your head in foil every time you go out, or read the news at home, or think.
Now I better run before they get me… I think the Department is after me
@Tim Foo Han on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 1:58 am
Have you heard foreigners speak of inscrutable Chinese?
You sounds like one? Let me guess, in your country, prostitutes consistently ranked higher than Hu Jin Tao. Kindergarten kids proudly claimed in state-owned media that she got ambitions to become public officials because corruption earns a lot of money. And if that does not work, then spread legs and/or bend over in a foreign land enclaves called Geylang providing “customer service?.
In your case, did you just had your last customer giving you the big bang – right up the rear or your swollen mouth have been strenuously stretched blowing pappies bananas up so late till almost 2 am? Tired and frustrated, you need ventilation?
Poor soul. I heard aluminium condoms do give some protection. Pappies 24 hours’ supermarket sold these since 7/11 only sell durex.
Have fun!
Guys, if the opposition really wants to do Singapore a favour by getting into parliament and thereby transform our political system into one which is more representative of the electorate’s choices and not solely to gain personal mileage, then I would suggest they read up on Machiavelli.
LKY’s philosophy is borrowed from Machiavelli and he has used the master-sage’s wisdom to very great effect, deeply entrenching his power base after almost 50 years in power (since 1959). Only when the opposition understands LKY’s philosophy can they then be able to devise the appropriate courses of action to adopt. Like I said before, they cannot enter the PAP field and fight them on their turf because it is not a level playing field, never has been and never will be.
Using Machiavelli’s system, LKY has managed to stay in power for so long because he did the following :
a) Control the media (disseminate only information that put his government in good light irrespective of whether there is any element of truth there). The Law of Osmosis will do the rest. If Singaporeans get inundated with such propaganda day and night the result is obvious.
b) Control the police state machinery. Put lackeys in ISD, Top police and military position, etc. to prevent outbreak of political violence.
c) Control the civil recourse machinery. Put lackeys into the top judiciary system. The three chief justices so far has been either associated with his family, or his friend (Yong Pow How) or are straight jacket lackeys.
d) Use monetary disincentives – you pay if you attack the PAP. And he will go for broke (or rather, make sure that you go broke) if sees a real threat from any particular person or quarter.
e) AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL – he uses the one most questionable but very effective tool Machiavelli proposes, and that is TO INTIMIDATE WITH CRUETY TO INSTILL FEAR for those who would otherwise want to oppose him.
At one time in the 70’s and early 80’s it was one big of a hellhole – the military was controlled by Winston Choo (brother-in-law of defence minister Goh Keng Swee), the police was controlled by Tan Teck Kim, the Chief Justice was Wee Chong Jin, and the economic system was an oligarchy controlled by the same few people, Wee Cho Yaw, Lien Ying Chow and Tan Chin Tuan (representative of the Lee Kong Chian family). All the instruments of the state were under his control and all he needed to do was to institutionalise the system as such so that perpetuity of control and power be transfered from one arm to the other with ease even when the supportive power “brokers” are no longer around.
Not a single PAP member of parliament has the guts to question him personally on any issue in parliament. They tremble with fear when he looks directly in their eyes. Have you all every watch parliamentary debates when they were telecast lived during the few years they were on air (during Goh Chok Tong’s tenure) ? Well, each time the old man was in the house there was always this sober and quietness in parliament (and PAP members always almost a full turnout – who would dare to be absent?).
The only opposition member in parliament who was able to win a heated exchange of debate was the late Dr Lee Siew Choh (sorry to disappoint JBJ fans it wasn’t Jeyeretnam). In one heated exchange with the said Dr Lee, LKY rose from his seat angrily (tyring his usual intimidating style to strike fear) and challenged Dr Lee to show him where the poor Singaporeans were (the subject was on the PAP claim that it had eradicated poverty from the streets of Singapore). Proudly jestering to the opposition member LKY said that he was proud that there were no beggars plying the streets. Dr Lee then rose to reply with much candour that “that’s because the police come to catch them and take them away from the streets” which drew much laughter in the house (drawing a wry smile from LKY himself). The opposition member had the last word there as LKY did not offer any riposte to his statement !