Little public backing for someone 'seeking trouble'

A common view yesterday was that life would go on in the rich, regulated city-state without the looser boundaries demanded by Chee.

Some who agreed with Chee still said his efforts were like "one drop of water in the ocean" in their likely impact.

"This has nothing to do with me. I feel sorry for him that he has to go to the court and has to pay the fine [but] I don't know why he is looking for troubles," said a middle-aged woman waiting for a bus at the busy Clementi station.

"Is there anything wrong? I think we are doing fine," she said when asked whether she supported Chee's campaign.

In his public talks, Chee has criticised policies of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), urged the public to challenge the policies when there were doubts and demanded a response from the government.

"He is only trying to tell the public the other side of the government. If the PAP is fair enough, they should give him a chance to talk. Then we can know who is right or who is wrong," said 30-year-old project executive Desmond Yeo, who attended both of Chee's speeches.

"Singapore looks bad to the world by bringing him to court.

"People will laugh at us. He didn't do anything but talk."

The government, controlled since independence in 1965 by the PAP which now has 81 of 83 elected seats in parliament, says Singaporeans have ample opportunities to be heard.

Officials also say the public likes the PAP's strong approach and the rules on permits are procedural requirements that do not affect the substantive right of free speech.

A young woman working for a financial consultancy agreed.

"The government cannot please everyone. He [Chee] is only saying bad things about the PAP. You have to admit we have a good life under the PAP," Lily Kwok said.

"He should obey the law and apply for a permit. Maybe he has his points, but he should do it in a legal way."

A taxi driver said: "I'm worried about my job and we Singaporeans need to all think about that, not Chee."

His criticism of Chee was followed by praise for the government.

Published in the South China Morning Post. Feb 2, 1999