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Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The plight of Singapore's Speakers' Corner

Long wait for Chiam opponent
By Loh Chee Kong, TODAY

SINGAPORE : Despite the rain, Mr Lim Kian Heng was all ready to make a speech at the Speakers' Corner on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old former taxi driver, who has declared his intentions to stand as an independent candidate against Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong, had in his hands a 30-minute speech entitled, "One heart, one people, one nation", and all he needed was an audience.

No one turned up, and after waiting for one hour, Mr Lim - who was the first person to speak at Hong Lim Park six years ago - gave up the wait and decided to leave.

But he will be back, he said, the next six consecutive evenings to make speeches.

The man, who said he has a degree in electrical engineering, made the news recently when he declared his intention to contest in Potong Pasir.

Mr Chiam later told reporters that Mr Lim was asked to leave the Potong Pasir Town Council after a short two-week stint last month, after a female employee caught him surfing pornography in office.

Maintaining his innocence, Mr Lim said that he plans to sue Mr Chiam for defamation "once the election writ is issued". He is banking on the settlement to pay for his $13,500 deposit. - TODAY

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