" If reporters don't report and universities don't debate; if the "open society" is really just a hushed conversation within a gated community; if information is ground under by right-wing think tanks - in short, if power is admired and truth despised - then who will speak the words clearly that need to be heard"
Roger Langen
Contributed by Ho Cheow Seng
"Sir, by definition, I am from the opposition. However, what am I opposing?
ReplyDeleteWe do not oppose for the sake of opposing. What is there to oppose if a policy is for the good of the people? If it is not good for the people or the country, I believe many Government party members will join me in opposing such a policy.
Are they then considered the opposition as well?"
Steve Chia
Opening speech at 1st session of 10th Singapore Parliament, 3rd April 2002
But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed...
ReplyDeleteIf you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought, and no excuse, whether of security, should allow a government to be deterred from doing what it knows to right, and what it must know to be right...
- Lee Kuan Yew
Legislative Assembly Debates
April 27, 1955
The one who is financially motivated will speak.
ReplyDelete