This is a simple but heartfelt plea for Singaporeans to do something small but collectively meaningful. The Singapore government harassed those who went to the Burmese Embassy to register their abhorrence of the Burmese government's actions. The Singapore government said that petitions are legal. So they can't stop us from doing one now. Singaporeans together with fellow global citizens who care about ending the oppression in Burma can make a difference. The cutoff time for this petition would be Saturday, November 17, the day before the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore. This petition would be sent to the Burmese government and the Singapore government, the current ASEAN Chair.
Singaporeans, United with our Burmese Friends
To the brave people of Burma: the marching of thousands down the streets of Rangoon, Mandalay and other cities have resonated deeply in the hearts of Singaporeans. Your way is the Buddhist way: non-violence empowered by love, and honed by teaching and meditation.
We the undersigned register our horror and disgust with the ensuing crackdown and carnage that was been so mercilessly meted upon you. Shocking images emanating from the streets of Burma, captured by none other than brave Burmese patriots, will resonate in our consciousness long after the blood has been wiped and the tears on your cheeks have been shed. Ideology, geography and history separate us, but dreams and anguish unite us.
Our affinity with yourselves and your saffron-robed warriors stems beyond our own petty struggles in this air-conditioned nation. Our own circumstances are regrettable. Yours are inconsolable.
To those in Singapore: When good men are hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with them and not calculate how we might profit from their sufferings. It is with great embarrassment that we witness political elements here in Singapore, seeking ownership of their cause to gain political mileage. Their names are unimportant, just as their empty words and theatrical performances. Dr Samuel Johnson wrote, “Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.”
We the undersigned object to any action undertaken with self-serving intent, for motivation is the marker of good and evil. We will however make one promise: their sacrifices will be honoured through our prayers.
To all in Singapore: we urge you to join our Burmese friends at the temples, at the churches, at the mosques…wherever your spirits are drawn. Let us honour the dead and pray for the living. Let us forget ourselves and remember those that suffer. Their fight is on the streets, ours is in their hearts.
Our asking is simple, but the effects manifold. Use this medium to spread your message of peace. Use it to inform. Use it to bring us together.
Sign in the comments below. Use the email forward function to pass the message. The long journey must start with small steps.
19 comments:
End the junta and oppression in Burma. To the Singapore government, do your part. Be firm.
Sharon Siew
The below paragraphs of yours caught my attention:
"To those in Singapore: When good men are hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with them and not calculate how we might profit from their sufferings.
It is with great embarrassment that we witness political elements here in Singapore, seeking ownership of their cause to gain political mileage.
Their names are unimportant, just as their empty words and theatrical performances. Dr Samuel Johnson wrote, “Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.”
We the undersigned object to any action undertaken with self-serving intent, for motivation is the marker of good and evil."
My question: How do you verify the 'intention' of those who are calculating, self-serving, and trying to profit or gain political mileage through others' suffering?
Is it possible that you are hurting the very people who are honestly trying to help you?
It's better to take no actions at all than being wrongly accused of holding hidden agenda. Somehow, this petition sounds more like being composed by the PAP's letter-writing department. By attacking its trouble-making opposition, hopefully nobody will notice that the PAP govt is among the biggest investors in Myanmar.
I suggest that you redo your petition. your condemnation should be focused on the military junta in Burma.
Leave out the lengthy part about whoever trying to profit from the Burmese situation.
After all, there's nothing wrong to defy the unjust law of so-called "illegal assemblies" of more than four persons which applied in both Singapore and Myanmar.
Singapore's government, be a responsible member of the international community. Cut ties with Burma. Don't prop up a despotic regime.
Burma's junta, hear the voices of your people and the voices in your hearts. The call for peaceful change is here. There is still time to salvage the country.
Is this petition a veiled attack by the PAP on you-know-who Singapore opposition? In that case your petition is useless and petty. You cannot even see who are the ones willing to stand by your side and fight for your cause.
The petition led by some people at the Burmese Embassy is obviously more than simply apolitical of local politics. Just like how some outdoor events are available to the PAP but not other parties.
Those who accuse others of being PAP, that is always the ready excuse by members of some groups to discredit and distort the views of those they disagree with.
From my heart, those who sign, you know you show your empathy for the Burmese and keep them in your prayers.
FREE BURMA
Simon
I hope that the Burmese do not lose hope. Asean must do something.
Tay HC
I don't know what the fuss is. So what if SDP hijacked the protest for their own ends - end justifies the means. Burmese freedom.
I condemn the Burmese government and its actions.
How would you feel if you were Burmese and just want to petition against the Junta and the safety of your own people but someone else comes along and hides another petition under yours for another cause you know nothing of or care about? I know I would be pissed. Go start your own petition and dont use the suffering of my people for your own agenda.
The SDP should be protesting in front of Tamasek, Istana or the Parliament House instead of the Myanmar Embassy.
They can't do much with the Burmese military junta, but they can pressure the PAP government to withdraw its investment with the Burmese druglords (Singapore is the 3rd largest investor in Myanmar after China and Thailand) and stop its profitable arm sale to the murderous regime.
It's rubbish that we as a 'small' country (it suits now doesn't it and we no longer 'First' world now all of a sudden - we cannot now punch above our weight now isit?) cannot do anything. Kicking/suspending them out of Asean is one measure I can think of, freezing accounts is a matter of a letter to all banks. I know there is alot of business done with the country but how can we condone this? Will we shoot our own people if Singaporeans peacefully protested(a moot point)? If the answer is an empthatic NO, then we must be something more to tell them it is wrong. I leave it to the multi-million dolar ministers who are so proud of their own capabiilties(before this) to figure out what and which form but passing the buck to the UN envoy is pathetic.Clearly dealing with a government who are known to be ruthless must have been on the scenario planning sessions amongst our top planners locally or regionally? What else then did they do?
The People Of Burma need help.I pray for their deliverance.
The petition led by some people at the Burmese Embassy is obviously more than simply apolitical of local politics. Just like how some outdoor events are available to the PAP but not other parties.
Why do you think your petition signing outside the Burma embassy is attracting the Singapore police? Do you not know the links between the Singapore govt and your Burma generals back home? To say that things can be apolitical is quite naive. I too suggest rephrasing your petition if you truly aspire to be apolitical.
Freedom is another word for having nothing left to lose?
I look at the pics of the monks and the Burmese and I ask:
Where are they now?
Are they still alive?
Are they well?
What can we do?
What can my government do?
What does it take to change the essence of a man?
What does it take to change the hubris of a government?
http://feedmetothefish.blogspot.com/
let's face it. even if one country stops selling weapons to burma, another would. the biggest investors in Burma are China and Japan.
i pray sincerely that this dark days in burma will soon pass and the monks and the people walk free
Dear Cheryl,
Just because other countries will continue with the arm sale to Myanmar even if Singapore stopped doing it, should we do our part as responsible citizens to tell our government not to do it? Otherwise, we all have blood on our hands.
Pointing to others as much bigger investors in Myanmar doesn't excuse Singapore from dealing with the devils.
Can anyone recall a Singapore minister went to discuss with the Burmese generals about buying sand from their country? The same minister ought to pay another visit and cancel the purchase agreement to stand in solidarity with the oppressed Burmese monks. Question is.... will he do so?
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