I was taking a taxi the other day when the uncle and I had a discussion on local politics. He believed that one of the reasons PAP was able to continue with their nonsense was because there are a lack of people brave enough to oppose them. One of the people he had strong respect for was Madam Vellama because she was brave enough to challenge the government to declare a by-election in Hougang.
At the same time, this uncle predicted that Emeritus Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew would die shortly after the 2016 elections and the PAP would break up as a result of internal factions and a power-wresting. As a result of my hatred towards PAP, what do you think will happen if we gathered enough money so that we can file a lawsuit to prevent a state funeral for LKY?
It is interesting to note that all US presidents have the automatic right to a state funeral while this is not the case in Singapore; this is at the discretion of the Prime Minister’s Office and some outrage was caused when popular president Ong Teng Cheong was denied a state funeral purportedly because he had some conflict with the government. I am not an expert in law but I believe based on my research that there are some reasons which give us locus standi (i.e. proper legal grounds) to file a suit.
Firstly, the fact that his son is Prime Minister (and that this may very likely to be the case until 2020) means that there may be a possible conflict of interest if his son were to authorize his state funeral even if it is conventionally a legal right of the Prime Minister’s Office. In the absence of a partisan body with full legal rights to make such a decision, we cannot allow it as there this important power may be abused.
Secondly, Lee Kuan Yew has shown himself to be senile and offensive recently. In his book The Hard Truths, he has made remarks which are clearly offensive to the Malay community and if an ordinary citizen were to do so, this would probably entail spending some time in jail. Furthermore, he has also made remarks which are sexist and not appropriate in a world which embraces gender equality. Hence, it may not be appropriate to afford a state funeral to someone whose mind is in a controversially state.
Thirdly, Singaporeans have been so much against PAP that a cursory glance on cyberspace would make it seem as though PAP is a vulgar words. While there may be some support, this support for the PAP is continuously dwindling and may even become non-existent in 2016. It would not be appropriate in such circumstances to a man who is not supported by legitimacy of the electorate to grant him a state funeral.
I wonder what would your readers think and if we can gather enough support to go ahead?
Best wishes for 2016,
Joseph
TRS Contributor