An Originating Summons (to file a lawsuit) against the Government of Singapore (represented by Attorney General) and Majlis Ugama Islamic Singapura (MUIS) has been filed with the High Court on 31st January 2011 , in the face of the recent controversial remarks by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew against the Muslim Community in his new book entitled “Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going“.
The summons was filed by lawyer M. Ravi on behalf of the plaintiff Mr Mohammed Alias Abdulah, a Singapore Citizen.
In the Summons which was forwarded to Temasek Review, the plaintiff is seeking an order/ruling by the court for the following (summarised):
1. That 2 statements in particular in MM Lee Kuan Yew’s new bookHard Truths To Keep Singapore Going“ are tentamount to racism against Muslims.
2. That the Minister Mentor and his previous and present government had adopted discriminatory practices which had formed the foundation of government policies since 1959 that has lead to racist policies and laws instituted against the minority Malays, Muslims and Indians.
3. That the remarks (made by MM Lee) reflect discriminitory policies against the Muslims and the Malays by the Singaproe state and thereby unduly infringing the rights of Muslims in practising their faith, hence violating Article 15 of the Singapore Constitution.
4. That the remarks (made by MM Lee) and the discriminitary practices infringe the rights of the Malays in failing to recognise the special position of the Malays enshrined under Article 152 of the Singapore Constitution and their right to practise their religion enshrined under Article 153 of the Singapore Constitution.
5. That the HDB’s ethnic quota policies deny the rights of the minority Malays and Indians their rights to freedom of association with their own ethnic group in their particular constituency and diluting their rights to form majority status in their own constituencies and have the choice of having their own leaders represent them in Parliment are in violation of Article 12 and 14 of the Singapore Constitution.
When contacted by the Temasek Review as to why the lawsuit knowing fully well that it won’t stand a chance, Mr Mohd Alias said:
Being defamatory to one’s religion is against the constitution rights, isn’t it? And being the big shot minister doesn’t give you the privilege to abuse the system, right again?I’m not gunning for fame for a laymen to bring a suit against LKY, some might be asking, am I courting for trouble? Singapore pledge already said it all, we the citizen of blah blah blah…… regardless of race, language or RELIGION…. so why did Kuan Yew need to emphasis on Islam??And the fact his son remark that muslims are doing fine all along, this contradicts to his father’s remark. Meaning he doesn’t agree on Kuan Yew’s view? And why no one is taking action? Where is the ISD Dogs? Police? AGC? MUIS? Why is PAP Executives keeping dumb? Just because he’s a BIG shot?
Pre-Trial Conference has been scheduled for 22 February 2011 at 9am and hearing on 3rd March 2011.
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Pamela
Temasek Review
Temasek Review
