Chee fights to have his say

Are you trying to get arrested?

One very prevalent notion people have is that we [the opposition] have options. That's nonsensical. What's left open to us except to contest elections? What do you do between elections, to convince people you are worthy of their support? Every turn you take, the government puts up an obstacle, requires a permit for this, a license for that . . . We tried to think of alternative ways. One was a party video you could duplicate and sell very cheaply. Then the government says no and passes a bill preventing it.

Why not at least apply for the permit?

We try to apply ahead. Then when you apply three weeks ahead, they say it's minimum six weeks. The idea is to give you the permit only a couple of days ahead of the event. We've applied as much as 2 1/2 months ahead. Then they say, no, don't apply so early. It's a game. It's not that we haven't tried.

Some say you don't have new ideas, or answers to the economic crisis?

We published our manifesto in a book, detailing every sector - education, social security . . . what's happening in the Crisis is proving what we said. This authoritarian control will hurt us in trying to compete in the next league. We're asking the government to give people more political space, that will translate into a more vibrant economy of people exchanging views. When someone says we have not said anything new, we say circumstances have not changed. Right now, issues like the [car ownership pricing scheme] are being debated, whether they are equitable. We've been saying that for ages. We're vindicated.

What do you think will happen, now that you've been called to court? Are you going to force them to arrest you? To what point?

It's a matter of what [penalties] the judge wants to impose. But I don't think it is me forcing the government's hand. They have forced me into a corner. What do they expect me to do - lie down and die? I've got a family to look after; we've got a party to think about, and the government does not give any room to maneuver. When you press too hard, without letting off steam, you will soon find an explosion in your face.

Do you really foresee that happening? The crowd [on Jan. 5] was watching you, but there was no wild cheering.

All I want is for people to sit and listen and think, does two plus two add up to five? They may not be cheering wildly, but put it in the context of Singapore: people standing in broad daylight, defying the authorities . . . because they know the authorities are [watching]. For people just to be able to come out, that is quite a statement, in Singapore.

                              Published in the Asiaweek January 22, 1999.