If microphones are not to be used in Hong Lim Park, Think Centre will always find better ways in better places to project loudly its political concerns - and one is to cross state boundaries.
MPH Malaysia extended an invitation to Think Centre to hold a Speakers' Corner event right inside their bookshop in Mid-Valley Mall shopping centre in Petaling Jaya - with amplifications and all - without needing to apply for any form of licensing through the Malaysian Authorities.
Not to miss this excellent opportunity, Think Centre accepted the invitation and started planning for the event. On 9 December 2000 (the eve of International Human Rights Day) four of us - James Gomez, Jacob George, Liew Hui Mei, and myself - gaily took a 4 + 5-hour ride to Petaling Jaya and back in James' car. The latter ended up covering the entire drive - lamenting tiredly in the end that this was his longest driving ever. Remarkable endurance, and shall we say "Move over, Schumacher!" Thoughts on the next day's event did not bother us - we'll find energy, surely.
We were taken by surprise when we arrived at Mid-Valley Mall, for the entrance of MPH was closed. Apparently, we made an error and did not spot the main entrance. A couple more funny incidents included being given "Supplier" tags by an innocent MPH staff when we walked into the shop carrying our books, and deciding what alphabet on the sides of the soapbox should face the audience - finally setting on "P" which stood for "Politics".
The event went behind schedule as the MPH staff struggled to recify the problem of failed speakers. By 3.15 p.m., about 30 people had gathered, and sat themselves on the seats provided or simply stood around to bookshelves to wait for our "performance".
As usual, James started the show running and played emcee, introducing Think Centre and today's array of speakers'. He jokingly composed a jibe on Singapore's "God of No Mercy" - (Lee) "Kuan Yew". Next, he proceeded to relate his experiences at the initial production stages of his book "Self-Censorship - Singapore's Shame", such as his publisher's getting cold feet at the last minute and problems faced with Borders bookshop.
This was our Public Affairs Manager Jacob George's first attempt in public speaking, after missing the chance in NUS due to family commitments. With great potential he glittered, Jacob, who spoke on National Library's refusal to allow Think Centre to hold a launch of its magazine - SHAME - offered his congratulations and offered gratitude to MPH for not only allowing Think Centre to launch their publications but permit them to address the Malaysia public.
I was next on the soapbox. Referring to a written script as usual, I talked about how people were normally the ones who suffered from the bickering between the Malaysia and Singapore government, and encouraged members of the audience, mainly Malaysians, to participate in NGOs to voice their concerns over volatile bilateral relations.
Not a stranger to public speaking, Hui Mei, our Malaysian correspondent, delivered a fluent Malay speech. As the Singapore authorities are adamant in its refusal to open Hong Lim Park to non-Singaporeans, this became her first Speakers' Corner experience. Present on her "home ground", she faced no restrictions this time.
Advancement of freedom of speech in our neighbouring country can be said to be miles ahead - not because of its government but because of its people.
Malaysia's recently-opened Speakers' Corner embargoes political topics. Nevertheless, obstructions for political talks in other places as well as self-censorial behaviour are less imminent in Malaysian people. Looking around, you can't miss the Special Branch people, but this has made MPH Malaysia nor Malaysians any more fearful - just leave them to do their job, they say, but we say, let expose who they are (refer to photographs)!
