Chee was found guilty of contempt of court for questioning the independence of the judiciary. In February 2006, he was declared bankrupt following a defamation suit.
SDP leader jailed 7 more days for not paying fine for contempt of court
Singapore Democratic Party leader Chee Soon Juan was jailed and ordered to pay a fine of $6,000 for contempt of court.
A Singapore opposition leader was found guilty of contempt of court on Thursday for questioning the independence of the city-state's judiciary, and could face jail just as the country heads towards an election.
Chee Soon Juan, secretary-general of the tiny Singapore Democratic Party, had criticised the Singapore judiciary during a February court hearing in which he was declared bankrupt following a defamation suit brought by government ministers.
Singapore's attorney-general has charged Chee with contempt of court, saying that Chee had "scandalised" the judiciary during his Feb. 10 bankruptcy petition when he "imputed that he and other opposition politicians had suffered grave injustice because the Singapore judiciary was not independent and compromised the law in order to gain favour with the government".
Chee, who is known for his strong criticism of the government, stood by his words, telling the Singapore High Court his comments about the judiciary were truthful and fair.
"I do not want to go to prison," Chee said, breaking down in tears at the end of a 30-minute speech. "I have a lovely wife and three beautiful children who are wanting me to come home."
Chee, whose party does not have a seat in parliament, cannot stand in elections which are expected to be called in coming months -- under Singapore law, bankrupts are banned from running for Parliament.
Singapore Justice Lai Siu Chiu ruled that Chee was guilty of contempt of court. The sentencing, which could include a jail term, is expected on Friday.
"I want to be free, but freedom is nothing when someone cannot speak the truth," Chee told the court.
Lee Seiu Kin, second solicitor-general for the attorney general, argued that in Singapore, rights to freedom of speech are not unlimited and that Chee had mounted a "scurrilous attack" which contained "untruths, half-truths and baseless allegations".
"The allegations that the Singapore judiciary lacked integrity, objectivity or impartiality, and that judges were willing participants to a scheme to suppress political dissent are allegations that scandalise the judiciary," he said.
The U.S. Department of State, in a March 8 report on human rights practices in Singapore, criticised the city-state's judiciary and questioned its independence in defamation cases involving opposition leaders, citing Chee's case as an example.
Singapore's leaders say the defamation suits are necessary to safeguard their reputations.
Chee was declared bankrupt by Singapore's High Court last month for failing to make libel payments to former Singaporean prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.
In January 2005, Chee lost a three-year legal fight against defamation suits brought by Lee and Goh, and was ordered to pay S$500,000 ($306,200) in damages for questioning the government's use of public funds.
"They are already millionaires," Chee told the courtroom, referring to Lee and Goh, and likening the Singapore government to a school bully.
Singapore Justice Lai interrupted Chee several times, telling him not to go into "extraneous factors" and to respond specifically to the charges made against him.
"This is a court of law, not an election rally," she said.
Sources and Relevant Links:
Channel NewsAsia SDP leader jailed 7 more days for not paying fine for contempt of court 17 March 2006
Singapore Democratic Party leader Chee Soon Juan was jailed and ordered to pay a fine of $6,000 for contempt of court.
Reuters Singapore opposition leader found guilty of contempt of court 16 March 2006
CNA SDP chief Chee found in contempt of court 16 March 2006
Today Law Society rejects request by Chee 8 March 2006
