Readers from outside Singapore may be interested in the following snippet, as it illustrates the fate of opposition politicians (must be about three of these brave souls left in Singapore) when they become too vocal and too effective in their castigation of LKY's totalitarian Peoples' Action Party (PAP). Once bankrupt, of course, they can no longer be MP’s. Contentious figures lower down the pecking order will also be effectively removed from public prominence by any of a multitude of well-honed procedures, including termination of Permanent Residency (
PR).
Opposition politician Jeyaretnam to appeal bankruptcy decision.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori.../83019/1/.html
SINGAPORE : Opposition politician J.B. Jeyaretnam said on Monday he would appeal a court's rejection of his bid to be discharged from bankruptcy.
Jeyaretnam owes S$600,000 after a series of defamation suits, centering around a 1995 article which the courts ruled defamed leaders of the People's Action Party.
The High Court last week turned down the 79-year-old's application after lawyers for PAP members rejected his offer to pay 20 percent of the debt.
"I am planning to appeal against the decision of the assistant registrar to a judge of the High Court," Jeyaretnam said.
Mr Jeyaretnam was declared a bankrupt three years ago after he lost two defamation cases.
In 1998, the High Court ordered Jeyaretnam to pay damages of S$100,000 for defamatory remarks he made at an election rally.
He was ordered to pay another S$200,000 to the Tamil Language Week Committee in another defamation case.
He lost his seat in Parliament after being declared bankrupt. - CNA