<above pic: The diagram which blogger Roy Ngerng is being sued for>
Indeed what has been observed as “bullying political culture” is clearly an instant of “hit the nail on the head”, with reference to the defamation lawsuit between a blogger, Roy and PM Lee Hsien Loong.
The “high handed” tactics against political opponents or anyone who so-called speak against the ruling party, PAP, has gained international attention as we saw PM Lee in the speed of a lightning hailed a lawyer to issue a letter of demand on the Roy, demanding apology and removal of blog postings, and subsequently served him a writ of summon, much angered by the “derisory” amount offered to him for damages to his reputation.
Obviously this is Tit-For-Tat, an uncompromising act of reciprocity –typical of a gang lord, a bully or a ‘ah Loong’. To say that it’s a formal pursuance of legality is an under-statement, for we see little attempt in the part of PM Lee to contest or break down the allegations before his formal demand. What went as far was only the posting of some subordinate to explain the subject matter in the case and telling the people how good it is.
Already viewed as a barbaric act, we have a political leader, privileged with fortune and immediate access to the Authorities, ready to wield his “hatchet” with monarchic force on any ‘defector’ or opponent who questions prescribed policies or anyone who does not swallow what he shafts into their throat.
As if infatuated with the display of power, our ‘ah Loong’ here is determined to pursue, determined to see some civilian bloodshed: any ‘defector’ or opponent will be avenged- no negotiation, no cooperation considered.
We must be wary that this sort of barbaric act does not slide into power abuse and eventually political immunity.
What prompted Britain’s Lord Acton to observe that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is the shadow of power that casts deceit, coercion, political secrecy and discretion, for the greater a leader’s power, the greater the potential for abuse.
Given the link between power and privilege, the abuse of one generally leads to the abuse of another. With some convenience, the hoarding of power leads to the hoarding of wealth and status, which eventually facilitates the accretion of power at the centre.
Adding to this, a growing scepticism with the judicial system makes it seem like justice has become the privilege of the better-off.
Almost immune and “flame proof” to any attack, we seem to have a political construct that is self-styled, self-principled, self-bestowed, and self-honoured.
Under this condition, a decadent impulse now lurks in the political realm.
We must recognize that our refusal to face up to the reality of power or failure to sense its abuse can make us vulnerable to this shadow of political leadership. The becoming of a “bullying political culture” is the beginning of this reality.
While at the moment we can still speculate the outcome of this lawsuit between Roy and Ah Loong, we fear it may be a case of what may be the Chinese saying that goes, “kill one to warn hundreds”- a choreographed outcome that Singaporeans will hate.
Christina Yew
TRS Contributor