A blatant LIE by TODAY to split the opposition and smear Dr Chee
February 28, 2009 by admin
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By Eugene Yeo
In a previous article, I wrote about how the Singapore’s media had the uncanny ability to sugarcoat the truth to make bad news sound good. Now let me showcase another classic example of the unique “Asian spectacles” of Mediacorp to distort reality and perpetuate an outright blatant lie in order to serve the partisan interests of the PAP.
TODAY published an article by Loh Chee Kong entitled “A politician who hates politics” in which the gist of it is to provoke disgust and repungance against the “betrayal” of his mentor Mr Chiam by Dr Chee:
“Fresh from leading the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to three parliamentary seats in the 1991 General Election, Mr Chiam soon found himself ousted from the very party he had founded in 1980.
The long-drawn saga — set in motion after Mr Chiam brought his one-time protege Dr Chee Soon Juan into the party — had obviously scarred him. Said his wife Lina: “He would have nightmares and wake up suddenly … he doesn’t talk about it but it’s hurting him inside.” (Read full article here)
An unsuspecting reader who do not know the full facts behind this episode will have the misperception that Mr Chiam has been traumatized by his “ouster” from SDP which was “engineered” by Dr Chee. Nothing can be further from the truth. Chiam was never “ousted” by Dr Chee. He resigned on his own accord.
For over 15 years, the PAP and the state media have been propagating the myth of Mr Chiam See Tong’s “ouster” from SDP by Dr Chee Soon Juan to drive a wedge between the two and to smear the character of Dr Chee.
They are well aware of the fact that Mr Chiam is an established opposition icon who has won the respect and love of many Singaporeans even from those not living in Potong Pasir. By spinning a tale on how the popular Chiam is forced out of SDP by his protege Dr Chee, it would deal a mortal blow to the image and standing of the latter.
For those of you who are aware of the truth, what exactly transpired between Mr Chiam and Dr Chee in 1993 was elucidated clearly on the SDP website here.
In summary, Chiam was not “ousted” by Dr Chee. He first resigned as SDP’s Secretary-General after failing to obtain the CEC’s support to censure Dr Chee for his hungry strike. In fact, Dr Chee had tried in vain to persuade Mr Chiam to stay on. Mr Chiam subsequently resigned from SDP and form the Singapore’s People Party in 1997.
It is not for us to judge who is in the right or wrong. The pertinent question to ask is: why is TODAY dredging out the saga now again after so many years ? After all, it has already achieved its insidious motive of misleading the majority of Singaporeans about Dr Chee’s moral character.
What does this irrelevant article serve really when we have more pressing concerns such as the investment losses incurred by our SWFs ? Mas Selamat Kasteri is still missing after a year and there is no mention of it.
It is likely that the PAP internet brigade has detected an increase in support for SDP and Dr Chee amongst young IT-savvy Singaporeans who may not know about the saga in 1993 and therefore TODAY find it timely to drag the “dirt” out again to smear Dr Chee.
Loh Chee Kong of TODAY even has the temerity to write to Dr Chee asking for his response to Mr Chiam See Tong’s criticisms about the SDP. He said that he had interviewed Mr Chiam on Wednesday in which Mr Chiam said that the Singapore Democrats had engaged in “conspiratorial and destructive politics.” (Read Dr Chee’s reply to him here)
It is so obvious that Loh is trying to sow discord between the two men and to stir a hornet’s nest. A journalist is supposed to be neutral, balanced and objective in his reporting. What is Loh trying to do ? Why didn’t he include SDP’s explanation of the saga to allow readers to judge for themselves ?
Mr Chiam See Tong had asked the Today newspaper to stop publication on his interview. Mr Chiam told Today’s senior reporter, Mr Loh Chee Kong, that his remarks about the SDP were “off the cuff”. Mr Chiam had told Mr Loh — twice — not to publish anything he said about Dr Chee Soon Juan and the Singapore Democrats.
Yet, the reporter emailed Dr Chee and quoted Mr Chiam’s remarks, wanting a response from the SDP secretary-general. Dr Chee replied to Mr Loh and refused to respond, saying that the intended report is a PAP ploy to put SDP in a bad light. As expected, Loh went ahead and publish the interview anyway though he did not quote directly from Mr Chiam, his intention was clear.
I would suggest Mr Loh spend his time more productively on other important issues such as finding out the extent of losses incurred by Temasek and GIC NOW instead of regurgitating a stale grandmother story that few Singaporeans are interested about. Or if he is really so keen to write up on the “dark” side of politics, perhaps he should interview the old associates of Lim Chin Siong to find out how he was fixed by his own trusted comrade in 1963.
Also read Mr Ng E Jay’s commentary on this matter here.
JJ is the best person to know everything...especially the untruths and the half truths, the prejudices and the resentments, the flaming and the defaming. JJ IS THE MAN!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
bad omen looming for the LEEgime
out of the blue, lightning striked at the MERLION statue at ESPLANADE. part of its concrete mane chipped off. could it be a bad omen? could it be a warning that the LEEgime of the famiLEE should be doing more good to peasants?
what could it be?
a fury from HEAVEN? a premonition to bigger disaster approaching peesailand?
lightning continues to streak to the dark night sky. the thunder rumbles now.....and peasants just continue to watch their tvs.
Friday, February 27, 2009
bruised feeling of grandmaster chiam
Top News // Weekend, February 28, 2009
A politician who hates politics
FOR someone who describes himself as a “simple and straightforward” man, Mr Chiam See Tong revealed that politics has “changed me a lot ... for the worse”.
.
Said Mr Chiam: “Now, I can’t treat anyone I meet as a friend ... I step back and ask myself: ‘What are you up to?’”
.
But isn’t that the price of joining politics?
.
“I didn’t know before... now I’m learning,” he said.
.
Anyone who follows Mr Chiam’s political career would understand his disdain for the darker side of politics.
.
Fresh from leading the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to three parliamentary seats in the 1991 General Election, Mr Chiam soon found himself ousted from the very party he had founded in 1980.
.
The long-drawn saga — set in motion after Mr Chiam brought his one-time protege Dr Chee Soon Juan into the party — had obviously scarred him. Said his wife Lina: “He would have nightmares and wake up suddenly ... he doesn’t talk about it but it’s hurting him inside.” LOH CHEE KONG
FOR someone who describes himself as a “simple and straightforward” man, Mr Chiam See Tong revealed that politics has “changed me a lot ... for the worse”.
.
Said Mr Chiam: “Now, I can’t treat anyone I meet as a friend ... I step back and ask myself: ‘What are you up to?’”
.
But isn’t that the price of joining politics?
.
“I didn’t know before... now I’m learning,” he said.
.
Anyone who follows Mr Chiam’s political career would understand his disdain for the darker side of politics.
.
Fresh from leading the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to three parliamentary seats in the 1991 General Election, Mr Chiam soon found himself ousted from the very party he had founded in 1980.
.
The long-drawn saga — set in motion after Mr Chiam brought his one-time protege Dr Chee Soon Juan into the party — had obviously scarred him. Said his wife Lina: “He would have nightmares and wake up suddenly ... he doesn’t talk about it but it’s hurting him inside.” LOH CHEE KONG
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/304724.asp
A politician who hates politics
FOR someone who describes himself as a “simple and straightforward” man, Mr Chiam See Tong revealed that politics has “changed me a lot ... for the worse”.
.
Said Mr Chiam: “Now, I can’t treat anyone I meet as a friend ... I step back and ask myself: ‘What are you up to?’”
.
But isn’t that the price of joining politics?
.
“I didn’t know before... now I’m learning,” he said.
.
Anyone who follows Mr Chiam’s political career would understand his disdain for the darker side of politics.
.
Fresh from leading the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to three parliamentary seats in the 1991 General Election, Mr Chiam soon found himself ousted from the very party he had founded in 1980.
.
The long-drawn saga — set in motion after Mr Chiam brought his one-time protege Dr Chee Soon Juan into the party — had obviously scarred him. Said his wife Lina: “He would have nightmares and wake up suddenly ... he doesn’t talk about it but it’s hurting him inside.” LOH CHEE KONG
FOR someone who describes himself as a “simple and straightforward” man, Mr Chiam See Tong revealed that politics has “changed me a lot ... for the worse”.
.
Said Mr Chiam: “Now, I can’t treat anyone I meet as a friend ... I step back and ask myself: ‘What are you up to?’”
.
But isn’t that the price of joining politics?
.
“I didn’t know before... now I’m learning,” he said.
.
Anyone who follows Mr Chiam’s political career would understand his disdain for the darker side of politics.
.
Fresh from leading the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to three parliamentary seats in the 1991 General Election, Mr Chiam soon found himself ousted from the very party he had founded in 1980.
.
The long-drawn saga — set in motion after Mr Chiam brought his one-time protege Dr Chee Soon Juan into the party — had obviously scarred him. Said his wife Lina: “He would have nightmares and wake up suddenly ... he doesn’t talk about it but it’s hurting him inside.” LOH CHEE KONG
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/304724.asp
lst game over TBT
Jufrie, lst TBT to go to jail.......
from 16 TBTS and now there were 15 left.....crazy dragon stance is left with only 14 "harmless" and no more deadly strokes.
from the desk of senior kungfu master uncleyap's desk......
Activists will be sending off Juffrie on Saturday (tomorrow) to Court 26, that he become the 1st of the 19 TBT Activists to go to QRP Resort :-). His wife Suraya still with the rest of us on trial. Due to his work committment and need to take care of the 3 children Juffrie can not stay along with the trial. He wore the Original Red TBT T-shirt to court yesterday, and scolded the Malay interpreater before the trial court (Court 10) when charges were read to him, I have no idea what was the contention but some how the interpreater pissed him off.
The judge did not want to accept him to plea guilty for the reason that he is in contention with the Statement Of Facts tendered by DPP Izzac Tan. The contention is that it stated Wrongly to alleged that Juffrie knew that Permit Application Was Rejected.
The irony in famiLEE LEEgime's court yesterday was that one had to lie to court in order that plea guilty can be accepted!
Juffrie won the applaude of entire group of TBT activist in court 10 after he read out his statement, asserting that he did nothing wrong, and is pround and firm about what he he did on 15.Mar.2008 at Parliament for World's Consummer Rights Day, and Tak Boleh Tahan.
He will be going to prison for 8 days for total of 2 charges, (4 days each) he will not pay the famiLEE LEEgime a single cent in fine. But the fine was $600+$600=$1200.
this means that JJ, the turdy nerd actually paid more than he bargained for!! being the first coward to plead guilty, his fine was compounded at $600. it left everyone wondering...how much did he pay for the leegal fee when he engaged his own personal defence lawyer? free?? the cunning shrewd nerd had probably miscalculated.
by the way, this Jufrie is a younger chap and not that old goat jufrie.
haunting sins of master chee
The taxi fare cheater and false hunger strike man said/..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr Loh, (refering to Today reporter low chee kong)
First, let me say that I have no desire to let myself and my party be dragged by you into a mud-slinging match with another opposition party.
Readers will ask themselves: Why this and why now? The break up with Mr Chiam See Tong in the SDP happened nearly two decades ago. This was extensively covered and utilised by the PAP and its media to criticise the Singapore Democrats.
Yet, your newspaper decides to resurrect the issue today. One need not be a genius to see what motivates this present exercise. You are obviously trying to remind Singaporeans of the episode in the hope that you can turn opinion against the SDP again.
Why now? This is not hard to figure out given two recent developments: One, is that the general elections are expected to be called in the not-too-distant future and the PAP needs to run down the Singapore Democrats.
Two, the SDP has been calling for the opposition to work closer together. The PAP needs to halt this process as a united opposition is not in its interest. The PAP has always depended on the divide-and-conquer tactic to trump the opposition.
Mr Chiam’s views of the SDP are not news. If you are truly interested in political fallouts, a story about the “stepping down” of Ms Ho Ching as Temasek’s chief and what was really happening behind the scenes would thrill your readers no end, and assuredly send your newspaper’s sales to record highs.
Despite such real information that the newspaper should be telling your readers, you choose to write on something that happened in 1993 and which has already been milked dry by your colleagues.
Now that the Singapore Democrats are moving ahead and gaining momentum in attracting support especially on the Internet, the media knows that it needs to do something, however blatant and despicable, to halt our progress.
Thanks but no thanks, we prefer to concentrate our attention on the PAP.
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
master chee must be cheeting himself. got internet support, meh? or just those few miserable clones replicating themselves and falsifying the kind of supports that are massaging master chee into multiple orgasms?
if one would take the effort to check into the MEMBERS LIST (in the new sbf forum). just my li'l brother alone, the ORIGINAL LEETAHSAR has already got clones created by the master shapeshifter ngejay. (you can see many of them residing in his crouchy profile). those that you see frequently like a broken cassette player are just a portion of the clones. there are still about 20 or so master shapeshifter ejay hasn't activated yet.
if that's the kind of "support" master chee is referring to and damn proud of it, my god!! this cheeting locter must be a bloody idiot in real life!!
the question that panic chee:
TODAY wants to know SDP's response to Chiam's criticisms
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
The Today newspaper wrote to Dr Chee Soon Juan asking for his response to Mr Chiam See Tong's criticisms about the SDP. Its Senior Reporter, Mr Loh Chee Kong, said that he had interviewed Mr Chiam on Wednesday in which Mr Chiam said that the Singapore Democrats had engaged in "conspiratorial and destructive politics."
Mr Loh wanted Dr Chee's "take on what had happened within the SDP then" and what is Dr Chee's present relationship with Mr Chiam. He added that Mr Chiam was sore that he was "forced out" of the party he founded. Mr Loh said that the story is slated to be published in this Saturday's edition of the newspaper. Read Dr Chee's reply to Mr Loh:
As apparent during the interview, Mr Chiam was still upset over the way he felt he was "forced out"-- in his words -- of the party he had founded. He was visibly sore that there were people in the party then who failed to understand his vision of a "two-party system" and were more interested in engaging in what he called "conspiratorial and destructive politics". Mr Chiam added that he is not on speaking terms with you because of what had happened.
- Loh Chee Kong
Senior Reporter, TODAY
"conspiratorial and destructive politics".
this description is precisely what is the main agenda of chee - one who conspires and trying his best to "destroy" decent democracy by disguising his antics in a deceptive chilvary.
DO NOT BE FOOLED!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr Loh, (refering to Today reporter low chee kong)
First, let me say that I have no desire to let myself and my party be dragged by you into a mud-slinging match with another opposition party.
Readers will ask themselves: Why this and why now? The break up with Mr Chiam See Tong in the SDP happened nearly two decades ago. This was extensively covered and utilised by the PAP and its media to criticise the Singapore Democrats.
Yet, your newspaper decides to resurrect the issue today. One need not be a genius to see what motivates this present exercise. You are obviously trying to remind Singaporeans of the episode in the hope that you can turn opinion against the SDP again.
Why now? This is not hard to figure out given two recent developments: One, is that the general elections are expected to be called in the not-too-distant future and the PAP needs to run down the Singapore Democrats.
Two, the SDP has been calling for the opposition to work closer together. The PAP needs to halt this process as a united opposition is not in its interest. The PAP has always depended on the divide-and-conquer tactic to trump the opposition.
Mr Chiam’s views of the SDP are not news. If you are truly interested in political fallouts, a story about the “stepping down” of Ms Ho Ching as Temasek’s chief and what was really happening behind the scenes would thrill your readers no end, and assuredly send your newspaper’s sales to record highs.
Despite such real information that the newspaper should be telling your readers, you choose to write on something that happened in 1993 and which has already been milked dry by your colleagues.
Now that the Singapore Democrats are moving ahead and gaining momentum in attracting support especially on the Internet, the media knows that it needs to do something, however blatant and despicable, to halt our progress.
Thanks but no thanks, we prefer to concentrate our attention on the PAP.
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
master chee must be cheeting himself. got internet support, meh? or just those few miserable clones replicating themselves and falsifying the kind of supports that are massaging master chee into multiple orgasms?
if one would take the effort to check into the MEMBERS LIST (in the new sbf forum). just my li'l brother alone, the ORIGINAL LEETAHSAR has already got clones created by the master shapeshifter ngejay. (you can see many of them residing in his crouchy profile). those that you see frequently like a broken cassette player are just a portion of the clones. there are still about 20 or so master shapeshifter ejay hasn't activated yet.
if that's the kind of "support" master chee is referring to and damn proud of it, my god!! this cheeting locter must be a bloody idiot in real life!!
the question that panic chee:
TODAY wants to know SDP's response to Chiam's criticisms
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
The Today newspaper wrote to Dr Chee Soon Juan asking for his response to Mr Chiam See Tong's criticisms about the SDP. Its Senior Reporter, Mr Loh Chee Kong, said that he had interviewed Mr Chiam on Wednesday in which Mr Chiam said that the Singapore Democrats had engaged in "conspiratorial and destructive politics."
Mr Loh wanted Dr Chee's "take on what had happened within the SDP then" and what is Dr Chee's present relationship with Mr Chiam. He added that Mr Chiam was sore that he was "forced out" of the party he founded. Mr Loh said that the story is slated to be published in this Saturday's edition of the newspaper. Read Dr Chee's reply to Mr Loh:
As apparent during the interview, Mr Chiam was still upset over the way he felt he was "forced out"-- in his words -- of the party he had founded. He was visibly sore that there were people in the party then who failed to understand his vision of a "two-party system" and were more interested in engaging in what he called "conspiratorial and destructive politics". Mr Chiam added that he is not on speaking terms with you because of what had happened.
- Loh Chee Kong
Senior Reporter, TODAY
"conspiratorial and destructive politics".
this description is precisely what is the main agenda of chee - one who conspires and trying his best to "destroy" decent democracy by disguising his antics in a deceptive chilvary.
DO NOT BE FOOLED!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Condom heros off to cebu
the kangaroocourt had adjourned trial until march next month.
lamui using her FLIRT&DESTROY had linked up with a gay pervert pinoy from the palawan bitch. he invited her over for brandy, whisky and then the "me". it had been a stressful period for lamui and her other condom lover half chia sai. together they were now the reputated couple THE CONDOM HEROES of the martial arts world.
according to info fr my pinay maid, palawan bitch was a very remote island in philippines. the gay pinoy who boasted about ruling over a tribal community was notoriously known here as BABAERO11. baba in tagalog is boy and ero is "NOTI" - not the typical naughty but the very XXX + X kind of NOTI
hailing their flying tiger, the jian or illicit couple galloped off to their illusive destination palawan bitch. again, my pinay maid said that was such a seclusive spot ...u die also u dunno why the tribal that inhibited the place could be cannibals. BABA was known to have sized people up so that he could throw them into cauldron or save the trouble and made sashimi out of his unwary victim.
would the CONDOM HEROES be back in time for the kangaroocourt trial? 16 tbts left now. if they forsake them, it means their strength would be depleted to 14. more mutiny happneing soon?
the fame CRAZY DRAGON 18 DEADLY BLOWS had finally sizzled down to a maimed stroke. what a pity! and who started it?......yep, the answer would appear sooner than u think. look out for the next poster and that would be your answer.
alternatively, it's marked in red in my personal quote
note: this piece of travel tale was from a double agent - the notorious secret darling.
__________________
emptiness is form...form is emptiness
guavatree is now PIRATE COPY leetahsar who's actually ngejay
Deadly flaws in the crazy dragon's formation
kids not included in CRAZY DRAGON 18 DEADLY BLOWS
you see, before the trial had even formally commenced, the 18 jokers were already condemned as GUILTY AS CHARGED. didn't JJ and that indian chap plead guilty without a second consideration for the other 16 chee's disciples?
if the current imperal magistrate would to allow them to go SCOTS FREE, then the other 2 TBTS who pleaded guilty would be maliciously "innocent". see the conflict of interests, ambuigity and contradiction?
the crazy dragon 18 deadly blows had to be executed exactly by 18 jokers. they had to advance or withdraw in synchronisation. any offbeat spells mortal fatalities to all 18.
if they were wise, just plead guilty, move on and stop wasting courts time and their own effort, time and resources. this losing court duel is entirely disadvantageous to them. the more they drag on, the higher the penalty fine for them. and if they wanna to check in, then they would be really in for a longer holidays in changi resort. maybe lamui would have more "fun" inside there.
their concentration now at tackling the war of words seem distracted. unless they are focussed on "what damage they had caused" or "what injuries that were inflicted on bystanders" or "what injurious reputation they had caused to any dignitaries", the imperial magistrate might be knocked off his balance.
they could cite NTUC's previous leegal protests which was i think held at the parleement house - the scene and source of their "crime". ntuc was an even bigger group. if there was no damage then and no arrest, why should a mere 18 jokers be more threatening and more illeegal?
in simple language, those bunch should be concentrating in tackling the CASE and not causing more unnecessary "defamation" which might end up as more vexatious proceedings.
chia sai was named chia sai not for nothing. he is after all a scholar training in si ya course or leegal advisory work.
yeah! funtime in COURTS!
just like the playful lamui favorite exclaimation: "i can't wait to have fun in court!"
the CRAZY DRAGON 18 DEADLY BLOWS had been thoroughly neutralized by the blue matas. imagine executing CRAZY DRAGON 16 DEADLY BLOWS? funny, is it? JJ and another had cowardly rescinded their position in that formation. hence the deadly stance was now rendered harmless.
meanwhile the siao cha bor lamui was just to excited to "go court to have fun". today was the day, the remaining 16 TBTs face the imperial magistrate. it would be another long fight. this time it would be a barrage and war of words. too bad chia sai being the "legal advisor" or si ya was totally muffled.
Why TBT protesters look forward to going back to court
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
The 16 Tak Boleh Tahan activists who protested against escalating costs in Singapore last year are looking forward to the resumption of their trial tomorrow at the Subordinate Courts.
This is because legal battles are one way through which Singaporeans can fight for their rights and work towards the rule of law, however long the process may take.
The trial is heard by District Judge Chia Wee Kiat. It commenced last year from 23 Oct to 7 Nov. But because it could not finish in the allocated period, the hearing was adjourned to 26 Feb to 12 Mar 09. The protesters face two charges: one for participating in an assembly and another for a procession outside Parliament House on 15 Mar 08.
While some may not yet comprehend why the Singapore Democrats and Friends are determined to challenge the PAP's unconstitutional ban on freedom of speech and assembly, we are convinced that with time and effort these Singaporeans will eventually understand what we are trying to achieve.
We don't do what is easy, we don't do what is safe. We do what is right and necessary. And we do it because it will benefit our fellow Singaporeans in the long run. This is what true leadership is all about.
Leaders must lead and an important aspect of leadership is bringing to the attention of the people the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead for our nation. These include the total lack of political rights for our citizens.
Think about it. Despite the enormous amounts of reserves the Government has lost through disastrous investments, no one is held accountable. Everyone goes about their work as if nothing happened. Even Ms Ho Ching's stepping down as chief of Temasek is billed as a strategic move. She has not been called to answer for the losses incurred.
This happens only because Singaporeans have been stripped of their rights to freedom of assembly. In any democratic nation, the people would have congregated in public and demanded answers from the government.
What about elections? Can't we just vote in enough opposition MPs and change the laws from there? If only it were that simple. A government that has no qualms in ignoring the Constitution will have no hesitation in changing the rules governing elections. Already PM Lee Hsien Loong has openly admitted that he needs to fix his opponents and buy his support.
This is why the PAP has been in power for half-a-century with almost zero opposition representation in Parliament. Do we learn nothing from this?
Leadership is not about bossing people around. It is about educating and persuading the people, and making the necessary sacrifice so that our fellow citizens may see what we see and heed our urgent call.
This is not to say that we don't believe in elections. As we have stated repeatedly we will continue to put up candidates and fight the elections. In fact we have already started preparations for the coming GE.
But over and above contesting the elections once every four or five years, we also need to work towards political reform. An opposition in an autocratic system must fight on all fronts, not just the elections. Our strategy must be wholistic.
This is why we go back to court tomorrow enthused and with a strong sense of purpose. We are filled with the knowledge that history and right is on our side.
We will continue to expose the police as a tool of the ruling party. We will continue to demonstrate the selective prosecution by the AG. We will continue to urge the Judiciary to uphold the rule of law in Singapore and to enforce the letter and spirit of our Constitution and, indeed, the constitution of the free and civilised world.
For without the rule of law all the house-to-house visits, posters, flyers, etc will come to nought and the PAP will continue to rule without an opposition in Parliament for another 50 years.
aiyoyo!! were the jokers trying to sidetrack again? they are the defendants and not the accusers of LEEgime's misdeed. they should be asking what damages had they done for their action. like anyone got hurt? or any public equipments eg, lamp post, traffic lights, signboards etc being damaged by their protest? instead they touted the imperial magistrate over "how much the famiLEE lost? *faint*!! and chia sai was suppose to be a legal advisor!! *double faint and hyperventilating!
the CRAZY DRAGON 18 DEADLY BLOWS had been thoroughly neutralized by the blue matas. imagine executing CRAZY DRAGON 16 DEADLY BLOWS? funny, is it? JJ and another had cowardly rescinded their position in that formation. hence the deadly stance was now rendered harmless.
meanwhile the siao cha bor lamui was just to excited to "go court to have fun". today was the day, the remaining 16 TBTs face the imperial magistrate. it would be another long fight. this time it would be a barrage and war of words. too bad chia sai being the "legal advisor" or si ya was totally muffled.
Why TBT protesters look forward to going back to court
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
The 16 Tak Boleh Tahan activists who protested against escalating costs in Singapore last year are looking forward to the resumption of their trial tomorrow at the Subordinate Courts.
This is because legal battles are one way through which Singaporeans can fight for their rights and work towards the rule of law, however long the process may take.
The trial is heard by District Judge Chia Wee Kiat. It commenced last year from 23 Oct to 7 Nov. But because it could not finish in the allocated period, the hearing was adjourned to 26 Feb to 12 Mar 09. The protesters face two charges: one for participating in an assembly and another for a procession outside Parliament House on 15 Mar 08.
While some may not yet comprehend why the Singapore Democrats and Friends are determined to challenge the PAP's unconstitutional ban on freedom of speech and assembly, we are convinced that with time and effort these Singaporeans will eventually understand what we are trying to achieve.
We don't do what is easy, we don't do what is safe. We do what is right and necessary. And we do it because it will benefit our fellow Singaporeans in the long run. This is what true leadership is all about.
Leaders must lead and an important aspect of leadership is bringing to the attention of the people the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead for our nation. These include the total lack of political rights for our citizens.
Think about it. Despite the enormous amounts of reserves the Government has lost through disastrous investments, no one is held accountable. Everyone goes about their work as if nothing happened. Even Ms Ho Ching's stepping down as chief of Temasek is billed as a strategic move. She has not been called to answer for the losses incurred.
This happens only because Singaporeans have been stripped of their rights to freedom of assembly. In any democratic nation, the people would have congregated in public and demanded answers from the government.
What about elections? Can't we just vote in enough opposition MPs and change the laws from there? If only it were that simple. A government that has no qualms in ignoring the Constitution will have no hesitation in changing the rules governing elections. Already PM Lee Hsien Loong has openly admitted that he needs to fix his opponents and buy his support.
This is why the PAP has been in power for half-a-century with almost zero opposition representation in Parliament. Do we learn nothing from this?
Leadership is not about bossing people around. It is about educating and persuading the people, and making the necessary sacrifice so that our fellow citizens may see what we see and heed our urgent call.
This is not to say that we don't believe in elections. As we have stated repeatedly we will continue to put up candidates and fight the elections. In fact we have already started preparations for the coming GE.
But over and above contesting the elections once every four or five years, we also need to work towards political reform. An opposition in an autocratic system must fight on all fronts, not just the elections. Our strategy must be wholistic.
This is why we go back to court tomorrow enthused and with a strong sense of purpose. We are filled with the knowledge that history and right is on our side.
We will continue to expose the police as a tool of the ruling party. We will continue to demonstrate the selective prosecution by the AG. We will continue to urge the Judiciary to uphold the rule of law in Singapore and to enforce the letter and spirit of our Constitution and, indeed, the constitution of the free and civilised world.
For without the rule of law all the house-to-house visits, posters, flyers, etc will come to nought and the PAP will continue to rule without an opposition in Parliament for another 50 years.
aiyoyo!! were the jokers trying to sidetrack again? they are the defendants and not the accusers of LEEgime's misdeed. they should be asking what damages had they done for their action. like anyone got hurt? or any public equipments eg, lamp post, traffic lights, signboards etc being damaged by their protest? instead they touted the imperial magistrate over "how much the famiLEE lost? *faint*!! and chia sai was suppose to be a legal advisor!! *double faint and hyperventilating!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Overview of Shaolin History
The following accounts are taken from sources who 1) practiced the specific kung fu styles to Master level from the "supposed" temples, 2) learned their arts AT those temples before the temples were destroyed, or 3) were taught by practitioners from those temples. Also, our sources were corroborated by at least three individuals (standard rule of evidence accepted by most professional journalists). The masters, however, have declined to be named for the reasons that 1) they do not want to engage in controversy-the information is here to accept or reject as you like (as directed by the last lesson of the Buddha), 2) they have assumed new names after leaving China because, as refugees, did not want their families to suffer for their actions. Having said that, and agreeing in advance to protect the confidentiality of our sources, we have been told that...
The Shaolin order dates to about 540 A.D., when an Indian Buddhist priest named Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese), traveled to China to see the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor had started local Buddhist monks translating Buddhist texts from Sanskrit to Chinese. The intent was to allow the general populace the ability to practice this religion.
This was a noble project, but when the Emperor believed this to be his path to Nirvana, Tamo disagreed. Tamo's view on Buddhism was that you could not achieve your goal just through good actions performed by others in your name. At this point the Emperor and Tamo parted ways and Tamo traveled to the nearby Buddhist temple to meet with the monks who were translating these Buddhist texts.
The temple had been built years before in the remains of a forest that had been cleared or burned down. At the time of the building of the temple, the emperor's gardeners had also planted new trees. Thus the temple was named "young (or new) forest", (Shaolin in Mandarin, Sil Lum in Cantonese).
When Tamo arrived at the temple, he was refused admittance, probably being thought of as an upstart or foreign meddler by the head abbot (Fang Chang). Rejected by the monks, Tamo went to a nearby cave and meditated until the monks recognized his religious prowess and admitted him. Legend has it that he bored a hole through one side of the cave with his constant gaze; in fact, the accomplishment that earned his recognition is lost to history.
When Tamo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. Most of their routine paralleled that of the Irish monks of the Middle Ages, who spent hours each day hunched over tables where they transcribed handwritten texts. Consequently, the Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Tamo countered this weakness by teaching them moving exercises, designed to both enhance chi flow and build strength. These sets, modified from Indian yogas (mainly hatha, and raja) were based on the movements of the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography (e.g., tiger, deer, leopard, cobra, snake, dragon, etc.), were the beginnings of Shaolin Kung Fu.
It is hard to say just when the exercises became "martial arts". The Shaolin temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional problem, so the martial side of the temple probably started out to fulfill self-defense needs. After a while, these movements were codified into a system of self-defense.
As time went on, this Buddhist sect became more and more distinct because of the martial arts being studied. This is not to say that Tamo "invented" martial arts. Martial arts had existed in China for centuries. But within confines of the temple, it was possible to develop and codify these martial arts into the new and different styles that would become distinctly Shaolin. One of the problems faced by many western historians is the supposed contraindication of Buddhist principles of non-violence coupled with Shaolin's legendary martial skills. In fact, the Shaolin practitioner is never an attacker, nor does he or she dispatch the most devastating defenses in any situation. Rather, the study of kung fu leads to better understanding of violence, and consequently how to avoid conflict. Failing that, a Buddhist who refuses to accept an offering of violence (i.e., and attack) merely returns it to the sender. Initially, the kung fu expert may choose to parry an attack, but if an assailant is both skilled and determined to cause harm, a more definitive and concluding solution may be required, from a joint-lock hold to a knockout, to death. The more sophisticated and violent an assault, the more devastating the return of the attack to the attacker. Buddhists are not, therefore, hurting anyone; they merely refuse delivery of intended harm.
The Shaolin philosophy is one that started from Buddhism and later adopted many Taoist principles to become a new sect. Thus even though a temple may have been Taoist or Buddhist at first, once it became Shaolin, it was a member of a new order, an amalgamation of the prevailing Chinese philosophies of the time.
Other temples sprung from Henan. This happened because the original temple would suffer repeated attacks and periods of inactivity as the reigning Imperial and regional leaders feared the martial powers of the not-always unaligned monks. Refugee Shaolin practitioners would leave the temple to teach privately (in Pai) or at other Buddhist or Taoist temples. In rare cases, a new Shaolin Temple would be erected (Fukien, Kwangtung) or converted from a pre-existing temple (Wu-Tang, O Mei Shan). Politically and militarily involved monks (such as the legendary White Eyebrow and Hung Tze Kwan) would be perpetual sources of trouble for the generally temporally aloof monks.
The Boxer rebellion in 1901 was the beginning of the end of the Shaolin temples. Prior to that, China had been occupied by Western and Japanese governments and business interests. The British had turned the Imperial family into an impotent puppet regime largely through the import and sales of opium and the general drug-devastation inflicted upon the poor population. This lead to the incursion of other European powers, including Russia, France and Holland, and later the Japanese and Americans. By the late 1800s, China was effectively divided into national zones, each controlled by one of the outside powers (similar to post World War II Berlin, on a hugely larger scale). The long standing animosities between China and Japan worsened, and extended to include all other "foreign devils" as well. Coupled with the now almost universal disdain by the Chinese for their Empress, a Nationalist movement with nation-wide grass-roots support was born. Among the front line soldiers of the new "order" were the legendary and near-legendary martial artists-many Shaolin-known as Boxers (remember how Bruce Lee, in his films depicting these times, refers to himself as a Chinese boxer...). Though their initial assaults on the military powers of the occupation governments were not entirely successful (many believed in Taoist magical spells that would make them impervious to gunfire), their temporary defeat would lead to a more modern reformation that included adopting modern military weapons and tactics.
The withdrawal of western forces was prolonged over many years, and by the end of World War I saw China in an almost feudal state of civil war. Not only were national troops fighting loyalists, but both sides had to fight the Japanese (who still held much of the northern Manchurian region of China) as well as many powerful, regional warlords. Many parts of China were virtually anarchies, but by 1931 almost all non-Asian occupants had been successfully driven out (with the interesting exception, in the late 1930s, of the volunteer American airmen known as The Flying Tigers, who helped repel Japanese forces prior to World War II), and the major combatants within China were the Nationalists and the Communists. Both sides displayed the typical jingoistic attitudes of forces in mindless warfare-if you aren't with us, you are against us. Neutrality meant nothing except the possibility of a later enemy. Consequently, Shaolin and other monks were routinely murdered by soldiers from both sides. One result of this program of murder was the exodus of many monks into the hills, or abroad, with the hope that Shaolin knowledge might survive even if the temples themselves did not.
The temples were unfortunate victims of war in a land that had abandoned its historical practice of respecting posterity and ancestors. All were ransacked and looted by various armed groups. O Mei Shan Temple ("Great White Mountain"), in Szechuan Province, was situated on a mountain top and deemed by Chinese officers to be a fitting target for artillery practice. It was shelled in turn by Nationalist and Communist armies. In a fitting twist of fate, this one-time site of medical and natural history knowledge was rebuilt by the Communists in the mid 1970s, and now stands as the National Park and Research Headquarters for the panda preserve.
There are various stories coming out of China today referring to the history of Shaolin, particularly over the past 300 years. However, many of these stories are suspect (compare Chinese accounts of Tiananmen Square with CNN news coverage), with the more commonly "authenticated" versions coming from government records. The fact that Chinese authorities outlawed Shaolin and martial arts practices makes any story about their history from such sources suspect. The prevalent wu-shu styles originated as a result of a compromise between the post-World War II governments and the national need and history of having a martial arts tradition. Wu-Shu, however, was not designed as a martial art (strictly illegal), and claims to the contrary date back only a decade or so, following on the popularity of Kung Fu.
Kung Fu Timeline
ca. 800 B.C. Boxing in China can be traced back reliably to the Chou Dynasty
700 B.C. Wrestling in China can be traced to at least this time
ca. 500 B.C. During the Chou dynasty. Taoist monks developed a series of health and meditation exercises
1st century A.D. "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", in Han Book of Arms written by Pan Kuo (39-92 A.D.)
ca. 220 A.D. Hua To, "Five Animals Play" - tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird
5th century A.D. Shaolin Temple at Honan built
ca. 520 A.D. Tamo (Bodhidharma) to China
8th century A.D. Go-ti exported to Japan from China, develops into Sumo
Earliest formal exportation of kung fu.
1100-1300 Shaolin "heroic period". Esoteric nature of kung fu begins to collapse
Several burnings of Shaolin temples during this period
1300s Period of Shaolin resistance to Mongols. Chang San-feng, Taoist monk, adds softness to kung fu
Shaolin arts reached a zenith during the Ming dynasty
late 1400s White Crane developed in Tibet during Ming dynasty, introduced to China ca. 1840
1522 Five Form Fist
16th century Kwok Yuen expands Tamo's 18 exercises into 72
Dragon style: ca 1565
Mantis style: ca. 1600
Chin na: ca. 1607
17th century Hsing-I
18th century Wang Tsung-yuen introduces T'ai Chi Ch'uan into Honan (early 1700s)
Pa Kua
Wing Chun: ca. 1776
19th century Choy Li Fut: 1830s
Monkey style: ca. 1842
20th century 1900-aftermath of Boxer Rebellion, attempted purge of martial arts from the Middle Kingdom
1928: wu shu renamed to kuo su (martial arts)
1967: Jeet Kune Do
1972: "Kung Fu" TV series
1973: death of Bruce Lee
Description of the Temples
There were 5 main temples at the height of the Shaolin order, though all 5 temples were rarely active at the same time.
Henan: This is "the" Shaolin temple seen in Chinese kung fu movies, and the one portrayed in the ABC-TV "Kung Fu" series of the 1970s. The physical premises, located in Loyang, a small mountain town southwest of Beijing, have been restored by the Chinese government in the mid 1970s (the temple was destroyed as a result of the Boxer Rebellion of 1901, but probably not until the late 1920s), and subsequently become a tourist/martial arts Mecca. Most of the resident "monks" seen today are actors, similar to the people you would meet in Colonial Williamsburg and other historical sites. During most of its history, Henan Temple was the seat of the most senior monks in the Shaolin Order.
Fukien: Probably built around the same time as Henan Temple, but originally a mainstream Buddhist temple until the early 1600s. This temple was integrated into the Shaolin order around 1650. Larger than the Henan Temple, Fukien served as the "headquarters" during times when Henan was either destroyed or under threat. The southern styles of praying mantis, snake, dragon, and Wing Chun were all developed in Fukien Temple, or by its masters. The temple was burned during the Boxer Rebellion, and its remains were rediscovered in the early 1980s.
Kwangtung: southern school, taught many great warriors, snake temple. Temple was built in late 1700's as a Shaolin temple, built in a mountain area overlooking the ocean near the city of Canton in Canton Province. This Cantonese temple was close to (ca. 150 miles southwest) Fukien, and was home to many southern styles, including Choy Li Fut and dragon (styles often originated in one location and were modified at others). Shelled during the civil warring following the Boxer Rebellion.
Wutang: Tiger temple. Located near the town of Wutang. Built in a politically unstable area (near Manchuria and the Korean peninsula). Probably the temple most involved with temporal concerns, and consequently often besieged by one army or another. Mercenary monks, including Bok Lei, Hung Si Kuan, and Bok Mei all came from Wutang, eventually moving to Henan (and thus involving Shaolin in its biggest political incursion). Very old temple, integrated into the Shaolin order around AD 800.
O Mei Shan: (literally, "Great White Mountain"), northern, library and medical temple. This temple was located in an inaccessible area of the Szechuan province and imported monks much like research institutions do today. The temple itself was very old, probably Taoist in origin. Integrated into Shaolin order around AD 1500. Was in close contact with Tibet. Crane temple. This was a major medical "school" for four centuries, the libraries filled with tomes from East and West. The buildings were used for artillery practice by the armies of both Shang Kai Shek and Mao Tze Tung, but restored in the early 1970s. Today, the "temple" serves as the conservation service headquarters for the bamboo forests of Szechuan and research center for the pandas.
The first four temples had the brands of the tiger and dragon on the left and right forearms respectively. The O mei shan temple had the mantis and the crane on the right and left forearms.
Structure of the Temples
Description of Ranks
The Shaolin had a limited class structure with three major levels: students, disciples, and masters. At the base was the student class, which held the most individuals. Members of this group cooked all the meals, washed clothes and performed all other menial or manual labor. Their station was such in order to teach them humility and respect, but also to provide the masters with an opportunity to observe potential protégés before entrusting them with martial arts skills. One who entered before you and was still in your class was an older brother or sister.
The next class of the Shaolin was composed of disciples. They were students who had demonstrated that they were worthy of learning the martial arts of the temple. Upon entrance into this class, they spent from two to four years in the exclusive study of the Shaolin arts of war and medicine, having already received their basic philosophical training as students. As students they learned the principles of Shaolin ethics; as disciples, their time had come to live those ethics, posing as examples for others to follow.
Above the disciples were the masters, who were accorded status as full monks of the temple. The title of master had been bestowed upon them because they had learned completely a system of martial arts from their temple and perfected it, thus achieving technical mastery. Also, they had succeeded in learning the philosophy of the temple well enough to teach what they had learned. Indeed, this was their function in the temple. They were the dispensers of knowledge to the student classes. Among themselves, they had levels of excellence which indicated their martial arts prowess and their grasp of the Shaolin philosophy.
The title "grandmaster" is not a traditional rank, but a modified term to indicate that the master had also been a teacher of other students who had attained master rank. There was no test or formal requirement for the use of this title, and grandmasters rarely use the term in reference to themselves.
Titles
These titles are in Mandarin
Male
Female
Junior Student
shidi
shimui
White Sash
Senior Student
shihing
shimei
White Sash
Disciple
shisuk
shigoo mei
Black Sash, 1st-2nd
Instructor
shifu
shimoo
Black Sash, 3rd-4th
Senior Instructor
sibok
shidigoo
Black Sash, 5th
Master
sigung
shipoo
Gold Sash, 5th-7th
Grandmaster
shidaigong
shidaipoo
Red Sash, 8th and up
These titles are in Cantonese
Male
Female
Junior Student
sidi
simui
White Sash
Senior Student
sihing
sijei
White Sash
Disciple
sisuk
sigoo mui
Black Sash, 1st-2nd
Instructor
sifu
simoo
Black Sash, 3rd-4th
Senior Instructor
sibok
sidigoo
Black Sash, 5th
Master
sigung
sipoo
Gold Sash, 5th-7th
Grandmaster
sitaigung
sitaipoo
Red Sash, 8th and up
Ranking
There are four traditional sash colours in Shaolin (master ranks are divided into a lower gold and higher red levels):
white sash: student
black sash: disciple
gold sash: weapons master, basic unarmed master
red sash: unarmed master, pries/monk level
The standard uniform is white with the colors used below as trim:
Choy Li Fut: tan stripe, symbolic of horses
Crane: white stripe, symbolic of the crane
Tibetan white crane: pale blue stripe
Cobra: emerald stripe, origin unknown
Dragon: color of style of dragon studied
Snake: very dark green stripe
Tiger: red stripe, symbolic of healthy muscle
What is a disciple?
The young student was curious about why some wore the black sash and others didn't, though both showed similar martial prowess. The Master was approached, and the questions presented to him. His answer was lucid.
"What is a black sash? By now you know that it means entry into discipleship, one who has proven himself over a period of rigorous training. He is dedicated, loyal, knowledgeable and above all, trustworthy. So trustworthy, in fact, that they alone in the organization have a rank which automatically expires annually unless they prove they are still worthy.
"It is not an automatic award; there are no specific physical requirements to met for all. The number of forms is irrelevant. Intangible elements are the most important elements in this promotion. Taking responsibility for one's life and actions; the ability to respect a trust; the ability to be friend, counselor, sibling, or training companion. Out of the nearly 3000 students in this pai, only a very few have been the black sash.
"They do more than what is asked of them, seeing tasks not as duties but as challenges to learn from. They sacrifice time and effort. Rather than neglect work or school, they learn to cultivate each with their Kung Fu. They are competent in their chosen field, and use this knowledge to enhance that competence. They do not forget the philosophical principles after each class; they LIVE them. And they persevere, even-ESPECIALLY-when things get rough.
"They lead, not through intimidation or rank, but through compassion and respect. They are models, and people openly and genuinely respect them. And they learn, always."
The student pondered this answer for some time. He watched the senior students and new disciples work out, then he watched them during non-training time. In time he saw the difference in action between those who acted in full knowledge of their actions, and those desperately fighting a flow from outside
Finally he understood the whole point of the structure of Shaolin ranking, as it were. You could not be made into a worthy one, but rather you acknowledge that you are by being one. How subtle! How appropriate. How Shaolin.
LIFE IN THE TEMPLE
Part 1
It would be as difficult to describe an "average" day in the life of an "average" Shaolin monk because, as with almost all other human activities, each day and each life was different. What we shall attempt is a guided tour through a temple (based on oral history from Canton's temple) as it existed until about 1915. The features are generalized, but intended to give a vicarious feel for what the reality was like.
The grounds outside the temple contain a variety of agricultural gardens, where most of the monk's food is grown. The front walls, however, are landscaped to reflect Shaolin concepts of peace and harmony. Pine and bamboo are carefully tended to line the approachway, but a grassy area separates the front gates from the trees. This "moat" is about 40 feet wide, and provides an area of no cover for potential intruders to hide behind. It is also out here where most of the weapons practice takes place (only Hollywood could afford a temple so large that all its functions were contained within walls). The main entrance is barred by two huge, wooden gates, that close at right angles to each other; one swings like conventional doors, the other slides laterally from one wall to the other, providing extra protection against battering ram assaults. Normally, the front gates are used for ceremonial occasions, such as the exiting of a recently promoted monk. For today, the gate is secured, and we must enter by a smaller gate on one of the side walls.
As you walk along the side wall, you may observe a few monks playing traditional musical instruments, or attending a philosophical discussion with a senior monk. Though movies portray Shaolin as testosterone-enhanced mega-jocks, the temples were actually cultural centers, something like modern universities. It was believed that mastery could only come from attaining a harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Each monk, therefore, was versed in more than martial arts, which were actually considered among the lower levels of accomplishment. (Here we must digress; Shaolin did not belittle their kung fu, but saw it and the practitioner incomplete and rather wasted if fighting was all he could do well. Kung fu proved a peace of mind through superior firepower, but was mainly used for physical discipline. That discipline was expected to be used to improve the holistic person.)
You enter through a narrow stone portal, and pass into another garden, possibly planted with a variety of flowers. In a small adjacent courtyard some disciples are training in kung fu. Along the walls are benches, where younger students are mending clothes, making baskets, or practicing calligraphy. A stone building on the left is the granary, and just beyond are more monks making flour. All around you are people doing rather mundane activities, for this is the guts area, where food is stored and prepared, students study, and daily business with the outside world transacted. A large structure twenty yards to the right looks like a temple; you enter to find a small temple area, with an altar, statues, and burning joss sticks at the far end. This is not the main temple, but a disciple and student area for daily meditation. It is here where they receive morning and evening instructions in meditation and visualization, and during the daytime disciples are taught other aspects of coordination.
It is here where you may first notice that not all the inhabitants are men; nor are men the only monk trainees. Shaolin was dedicated to the universality of human experience, and denied no one with qualifications admittance (again, contrary to television). Among the most famous Shaolin were some of the "nuns", including southern green dragon co-founder Ng Mui, Wing Chun founder Ng Mui (separated by about ten generations, and probably no relation), and others. The chauvinistic idea that Shaolin was for men only is loudly declaimed by the very existence of two of the Temple's most famous and prestigious styles. As for the term "nun," a sad choice, but, like "priest," was taken from the familiar structure of Christian missionaries to name their "heathen" counterparts. Women in the temple had the same rights, privileges, responsibilities, and offices as the men. All were addressed as (loose translation) "monk." Only titles of specific address were gender-related (see RANKING), such that senior women were called "older sister", training masters called "aunt", and so on.
Moving out the far door and continuing to the left, you walk through a beautifully manicured garden. The path meanders among short islands of grass and carefully raked sand and gravel. Small trees are dotted among the islands. A pool of fish is on one side, and sitting near it is a monk in meditation. At the far end are some students, also meditating. Your walk ends abruptly at another wall, and you may go either left or right; going right, you eventually come to the end of the wall, which is the south face of the main and ceremonial temple building. Ahead some 200 feet is the main gate again, but instead we turn left and proceed across the barren courtyard towards the temple's entrance. We climb three sets of stone stairs and pass through an intricate door, each side supported by a column carved to resemble upwardly-flying dragons, their scale edges colored with gold, their bodies painted dark green. Across the entrance is a red plaque with gold characters that translate into "Shaolin Temple." Huge wooden doors would normally be closed, except when the temple is in ceremonial use; for now, they are open and we proceed inside.
Our eyes slowly adjust to the dark interior, illuminated today by a minimum number of candles along each wall. Above and behind the candles are statues, each 2-3 feet in height; along the left wall are various incarnations of the Buddha, Bodhidharma, and important Shaolin patriarchs from history. Along the right are depictions of the classical animals in a variety of fighting stances, each posed as if defending its human counterpart across the aisle. At the far end of the long hall is a giant statue of the Buddha.
As you leave by a small rear door from the main temple, you can again see the food area to the far left; ahead are the kitchens, eating, and sleeping areas; and to the far right a string of low buildings that house the common rooms, library, and writing areas. You walk through the dining hall into another narrow courtyard bordered by a low wall. At intervals along the wall are narrow entrances, each with a wooden door. Beyond each door is an area for the training and instruction of kung fu-these are the legendary chambers.
The training chambers of Shaolin have assumed a nearly mythical status among martial artists, probably because of the legendary results of their successful students. In reality, the chambers were simply training areas for different aspects of kung fu. Some were style-specific, that is, where you would learn the kuen (formwork) of tiger or dragon. Others were places for muscular development, such as horse-training and water-carrying chambers. Some taught coordination and reflex drills; combat and sparring; weapons use; and meditation and visualization techniques. The actual number of chambers varied, depending upon which temple you were in, the combination of skills taught as a "core" by particular training masters, and, naturally, the size of the temple. In Canton, for example, many chambers served double or triple functions. You might study a crane form in chamber 4 at 8 a.m., practice sparring there at 12, and return for coordination drills at 5.
Part 3
It is important to stress that more myth surrounds our general beliefs about Shaolin monks than is warranted. Among the readily dismissed fallacies are: Shaolin were all male, were celibate, were primarily warriors, studied primarily kung fu, were all trained physicians, were different somehow from other people. Myths place real people on pedestals, and this does nothing for potential students. After all, who could possibly and realistically expect to attain demi-godhood? Shaolin had their heroes and villains, ascetic priests and political rebels, devout celibates and prolific parents.
The most universally held belief seems to be that Shaolin was a place to study, first and foremost, kung fu. China has a history of hundreds of martial arts, only a small fraction being true "Shaolin" practices, so it was virtually never necessary to get thee to a convent to learn pugilism. In fact, the combat side of kung fu was taught to Shaolin disciples as a means of combating the self, to restrain ego and develop physical domain over your own body. Consider how little true control people generally have over themselves; we are never far from a "pathological" klutz, or people who revv their physical energies to little avail. When Bodhidharma instituted the practices that evolved into kung fu, his primary concern was to make the monks physically strong enough to withstand both the isolated lifestyle and the deceptively demanding training that meditation would require. In fact, it is one of the oldest Shaolin axioms that "one who engages in combat has already lost the battle." Such philosophies, alas, make for terrible movie plots...
The early phases of Shaolin training involved a lot of what we would call grammar school (for most students, entry was made when under the age of ten). Long days were spent learning to read and write, and quality calligraphy was seen as proof of a good education. Students also learned math, history, manners and customs, Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, painting, music, textile work, agriculture, pottery, and cooking. To be anything less than self-sufficient was seen as a failing of the training regimen. Older students and disciples would often write books of history, poetry, or natural history, while others would form musical ensembles (often with a master or two), paint, or learn medicine. It was one's development of the cultural side of life that mainly marked one's standing in the Shaolin community.
Hence the rather large amount of building space for housing a library, art materials, a music area, and other life-skills. Such interests were actively encouraged, and to again draw a parallel to modern American universities, such monks often taught "outreach" sessions to the local community. Wandering monks brought art, reading, medicine, and agriculture to remote villages, while people near a temple could come for sessions in all these topics. Mainly, however, they came for farming and medical assistance, as most Chinese villagers were not as intellectually active as some "New Agers" would have us believe.
Now for a controversial note: our instructors, all products of the old temples, taught that if a person study Shaolin and learn little more than kung fu, he was not Shaolin. All the arts of the temple were aimed at leading one closer to enlightenment by providing tools to make a whole person, or what we often call Renaissance people. A jack of many trades, master of one or two, those are qualities that define a priest, according to those who long made such designations in China. If you are a young person in school, do not sacrifice studies for martial arts; even if you learn skill, a tool with a dull edge is a dull tool of limited use.
The Shaolin order dates to about 540 A.D., when an Indian Buddhist priest named Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese), traveled to China to see the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor had started local Buddhist monks translating Buddhist texts from Sanskrit to Chinese. The intent was to allow the general populace the ability to practice this religion.
This was a noble project, but when the Emperor believed this to be his path to Nirvana, Tamo disagreed. Tamo's view on Buddhism was that you could not achieve your goal just through good actions performed by others in your name. At this point the Emperor and Tamo parted ways and Tamo traveled to the nearby Buddhist temple to meet with the monks who were translating these Buddhist texts.
The temple had been built years before in the remains of a forest that had been cleared or burned down. At the time of the building of the temple, the emperor's gardeners had also planted new trees. Thus the temple was named "young (or new) forest", (Shaolin in Mandarin, Sil Lum in Cantonese).
When Tamo arrived at the temple, he was refused admittance, probably being thought of as an upstart or foreign meddler by the head abbot (Fang Chang). Rejected by the monks, Tamo went to a nearby cave and meditated until the monks recognized his religious prowess and admitted him. Legend has it that he bored a hole through one side of the cave with his constant gaze; in fact, the accomplishment that earned his recognition is lost to history.
When Tamo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. Most of their routine paralleled that of the Irish monks of the Middle Ages, who spent hours each day hunched over tables where they transcribed handwritten texts. Consequently, the Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Tamo countered this weakness by teaching them moving exercises, designed to both enhance chi flow and build strength. These sets, modified from Indian yogas (mainly hatha, and raja) were based on the movements of the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography (e.g., tiger, deer, leopard, cobra, snake, dragon, etc.), were the beginnings of Shaolin Kung Fu.
It is hard to say just when the exercises became "martial arts". The Shaolin temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional problem, so the martial side of the temple probably started out to fulfill self-defense needs. After a while, these movements were codified into a system of self-defense.
As time went on, this Buddhist sect became more and more distinct because of the martial arts being studied. This is not to say that Tamo "invented" martial arts. Martial arts had existed in China for centuries. But within confines of the temple, it was possible to develop and codify these martial arts into the new and different styles that would become distinctly Shaolin. One of the problems faced by many western historians is the supposed contraindication of Buddhist principles of non-violence coupled with Shaolin's legendary martial skills. In fact, the Shaolin practitioner is never an attacker, nor does he or she dispatch the most devastating defenses in any situation. Rather, the study of kung fu leads to better understanding of violence, and consequently how to avoid conflict. Failing that, a Buddhist who refuses to accept an offering of violence (i.e., and attack) merely returns it to the sender. Initially, the kung fu expert may choose to parry an attack, but if an assailant is both skilled and determined to cause harm, a more definitive and concluding solution may be required, from a joint-lock hold to a knockout, to death. The more sophisticated and violent an assault, the more devastating the return of the attack to the attacker. Buddhists are not, therefore, hurting anyone; they merely refuse delivery of intended harm.
The Shaolin philosophy is one that started from Buddhism and later adopted many Taoist principles to become a new sect. Thus even though a temple may have been Taoist or Buddhist at first, once it became Shaolin, it was a member of a new order, an amalgamation of the prevailing Chinese philosophies of the time.
Other temples sprung from Henan. This happened because the original temple would suffer repeated attacks and periods of inactivity as the reigning Imperial and regional leaders feared the martial powers of the not-always unaligned monks. Refugee Shaolin practitioners would leave the temple to teach privately (in Pai) or at other Buddhist or Taoist temples. In rare cases, a new Shaolin Temple would be erected (Fukien, Kwangtung) or converted from a pre-existing temple (Wu-Tang, O Mei Shan). Politically and militarily involved monks (such as the legendary White Eyebrow and Hung Tze Kwan) would be perpetual sources of trouble for the generally temporally aloof monks.
The Boxer rebellion in 1901 was the beginning of the end of the Shaolin temples. Prior to that, China had been occupied by Western and Japanese governments and business interests. The British had turned the Imperial family into an impotent puppet regime largely through the import and sales of opium and the general drug-devastation inflicted upon the poor population. This lead to the incursion of other European powers, including Russia, France and Holland, and later the Japanese and Americans. By the late 1800s, China was effectively divided into national zones, each controlled by one of the outside powers (similar to post World War II Berlin, on a hugely larger scale). The long standing animosities between China and Japan worsened, and extended to include all other "foreign devils" as well. Coupled with the now almost universal disdain by the Chinese for their Empress, a Nationalist movement with nation-wide grass-roots support was born. Among the front line soldiers of the new "order" were the legendary and near-legendary martial artists-many Shaolin-known as Boxers (remember how Bruce Lee, in his films depicting these times, refers to himself as a Chinese boxer...). Though their initial assaults on the military powers of the occupation governments were not entirely successful (many believed in Taoist magical spells that would make them impervious to gunfire), their temporary defeat would lead to a more modern reformation that included adopting modern military weapons and tactics.
The withdrawal of western forces was prolonged over many years, and by the end of World War I saw China in an almost feudal state of civil war. Not only were national troops fighting loyalists, but both sides had to fight the Japanese (who still held much of the northern Manchurian region of China) as well as many powerful, regional warlords. Many parts of China were virtually anarchies, but by 1931 almost all non-Asian occupants had been successfully driven out (with the interesting exception, in the late 1930s, of the volunteer American airmen known as The Flying Tigers, who helped repel Japanese forces prior to World War II), and the major combatants within China were the Nationalists and the Communists. Both sides displayed the typical jingoistic attitudes of forces in mindless warfare-if you aren't with us, you are against us. Neutrality meant nothing except the possibility of a later enemy. Consequently, Shaolin and other monks were routinely murdered by soldiers from both sides. One result of this program of murder was the exodus of many monks into the hills, or abroad, with the hope that Shaolin knowledge might survive even if the temples themselves did not.
The temples were unfortunate victims of war in a land that had abandoned its historical practice of respecting posterity and ancestors. All were ransacked and looted by various armed groups. O Mei Shan Temple ("Great White Mountain"), in Szechuan Province, was situated on a mountain top and deemed by Chinese officers to be a fitting target for artillery practice. It was shelled in turn by Nationalist and Communist armies. In a fitting twist of fate, this one-time site of medical and natural history knowledge was rebuilt by the Communists in the mid 1970s, and now stands as the National Park and Research Headquarters for the panda preserve.
There are various stories coming out of China today referring to the history of Shaolin, particularly over the past 300 years. However, many of these stories are suspect (compare Chinese accounts of Tiananmen Square with CNN news coverage), with the more commonly "authenticated" versions coming from government records. The fact that Chinese authorities outlawed Shaolin and martial arts practices makes any story about their history from such sources suspect. The prevalent wu-shu styles originated as a result of a compromise between the post-World War II governments and the national need and history of having a martial arts tradition. Wu-Shu, however, was not designed as a martial art (strictly illegal), and claims to the contrary date back only a decade or so, following on the popularity of Kung Fu.
Kung Fu Timeline
ca. 800 B.C. Boxing in China can be traced back reliably to the Chou Dynasty
700 B.C. Wrestling in China can be traced to at least this time
ca. 500 B.C. During the Chou dynasty. Taoist monks developed a series of health and meditation exercises
1st century A.D. "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", in Han Book of Arms written by Pan Kuo (39-92 A.D.)
ca. 220 A.D. Hua To, "Five Animals Play" - tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird
5th century A.D. Shaolin Temple at Honan built
ca. 520 A.D. Tamo (Bodhidharma) to China
8th century A.D. Go-ti exported to Japan from China, develops into Sumo
Earliest formal exportation of kung fu.
1100-1300 Shaolin "heroic period". Esoteric nature of kung fu begins to collapse
Several burnings of Shaolin temples during this period
1300s Period of Shaolin resistance to Mongols. Chang San-feng, Taoist monk, adds softness to kung fu
Shaolin arts reached a zenith during the Ming dynasty
late 1400s White Crane developed in Tibet during Ming dynasty, introduced to China ca. 1840
1522 Five Form Fist
16th century Kwok Yuen expands Tamo's 18 exercises into 72
Dragon style: ca 1565
Mantis style: ca. 1600
Chin na: ca. 1607
17th century Hsing-I
18th century Wang Tsung-yuen introduces T'ai Chi Ch'uan into Honan (early 1700s)
Pa Kua
Wing Chun: ca. 1776
19th century Choy Li Fut: 1830s
Monkey style: ca. 1842
20th century 1900-aftermath of Boxer Rebellion, attempted purge of martial arts from the Middle Kingdom
1928: wu shu renamed to kuo su (martial arts)
1967: Jeet Kune Do
1972: "Kung Fu" TV series
1973: death of Bruce Lee
Description of the Temples
There were 5 main temples at the height of the Shaolin order, though all 5 temples were rarely active at the same time.
Henan: This is "the" Shaolin temple seen in Chinese kung fu movies, and the one portrayed in the ABC-TV "Kung Fu" series of the 1970s. The physical premises, located in Loyang, a small mountain town southwest of Beijing, have been restored by the Chinese government in the mid 1970s (the temple was destroyed as a result of the Boxer Rebellion of 1901, but probably not until the late 1920s), and subsequently become a tourist/martial arts Mecca. Most of the resident "monks" seen today are actors, similar to the people you would meet in Colonial Williamsburg and other historical sites. During most of its history, Henan Temple was the seat of the most senior monks in the Shaolin Order.
Fukien: Probably built around the same time as Henan Temple, but originally a mainstream Buddhist temple until the early 1600s. This temple was integrated into the Shaolin order around 1650. Larger than the Henan Temple, Fukien served as the "headquarters" during times when Henan was either destroyed or under threat. The southern styles of praying mantis, snake, dragon, and Wing Chun were all developed in Fukien Temple, or by its masters. The temple was burned during the Boxer Rebellion, and its remains were rediscovered in the early 1980s.
Kwangtung: southern school, taught many great warriors, snake temple. Temple was built in late 1700's as a Shaolin temple, built in a mountain area overlooking the ocean near the city of Canton in Canton Province. This Cantonese temple was close to (ca. 150 miles southwest) Fukien, and was home to many southern styles, including Choy Li Fut and dragon (styles often originated in one location and were modified at others). Shelled during the civil warring following the Boxer Rebellion.
Wutang: Tiger temple. Located near the town of Wutang. Built in a politically unstable area (near Manchuria and the Korean peninsula). Probably the temple most involved with temporal concerns, and consequently often besieged by one army or another. Mercenary monks, including Bok Lei, Hung Si Kuan, and Bok Mei all came from Wutang, eventually moving to Henan (and thus involving Shaolin in its biggest political incursion). Very old temple, integrated into the Shaolin order around AD 800.
O Mei Shan: (literally, "Great White Mountain"), northern, library and medical temple. This temple was located in an inaccessible area of the Szechuan province and imported monks much like research institutions do today. The temple itself was very old, probably Taoist in origin. Integrated into Shaolin order around AD 1500. Was in close contact with Tibet. Crane temple. This was a major medical "school" for four centuries, the libraries filled with tomes from East and West. The buildings were used for artillery practice by the armies of both Shang Kai Shek and Mao Tze Tung, but restored in the early 1970s. Today, the "temple" serves as the conservation service headquarters for the bamboo forests of Szechuan and research center for the pandas.
The first four temples had the brands of the tiger and dragon on the left and right forearms respectively. The O mei shan temple had the mantis and the crane on the right and left forearms.
Structure of the Temples
Description of Ranks
The Shaolin had a limited class structure with three major levels: students, disciples, and masters. At the base was the student class, which held the most individuals. Members of this group cooked all the meals, washed clothes and performed all other menial or manual labor. Their station was such in order to teach them humility and respect, but also to provide the masters with an opportunity to observe potential protégés before entrusting them with martial arts skills. One who entered before you and was still in your class was an older brother or sister.
The next class of the Shaolin was composed of disciples. They were students who had demonstrated that they were worthy of learning the martial arts of the temple. Upon entrance into this class, they spent from two to four years in the exclusive study of the Shaolin arts of war and medicine, having already received their basic philosophical training as students. As students they learned the principles of Shaolin ethics; as disciples, their time had come to live those ethics, posing as examples for others to follow.
Above the disciples were the masters, who were accorded status as full monks of the temple. The title of master had been bestowed upon them because they had learned completely a system of martial arts from their temple and perfected it, thus achieving technical mastery. Also, they had succeeded in learning the philosophy of the temple well enough to teach what they had learned. Indeed, this was their function in the temple. They were the dispensers of knowledge to the student classes. Among themselves, they had levels of excellence which indicated their martial arts prowess and their grasp of the Shaolin philosophy.
The title "grandmaster" is not a traditional rank, but a modified term to indicate that the master had also been a teacher of other students who had attained master rank. There was no test or formal requirement for the use of this title, and grandmasters rarely use the term in reference to themselves.
Titles
These titles are in Mandarin
Male
Female
Junior Student
shidi
shimui
White Sash
Senior Student
shihing
shimei
White Sash
Disciple
shisuk
shigoo mei
Black Sash, 1st-2nd
Instructor
shifu
shimoo
Black Sash, 3rd-4th
Senior Instructor
sibok
shidigoo
Black Sash, 5th
Master
sigung
shipoo
Gold Sash, 5th-7th
Grandmaster
shidaigong
shidaipoo
Red Sash, 8th and up
These titles are in Cantonese
Male
Female
Junior Student
sidi
simui
White Sash
Senior Student
sihing
sijei
White Sash
Disciple
sisuk
sigoo mui
Black Sash, 1st-2nd
Instructor
sifu
simoo
Black Sash, 3rd-4th
Senior Instructor
sibok
sidigoo
Black Sash, 5th
Master
sigung
sipoo
Gold Sash, 5th-7th
Grandmaster
sitaigung
sitaipoo
Red Sash, 8th and up
Ranking
There are four traditional sash colours in Shaolin (master ranks are divided into a lower gold and higher red levels):
white sash: student
black sash: disciple
gold sash: weapons master, basic unarmed master
red sash: unarmed master, pries/monk level
The standard uniform is white with the colors used below as trim:
Choy Li Fut: tan stripe, symbolic of horses
Crane: white stripe, symbolic of the crane
Tibetan white crane: pale blue stripe
Cobra: emerald stripe, origin unknown
Dragon: color of style of dragon studied
Snake: very dark green stripe
Tiger: red stripe, symbolic of healthy muscle
What is a disciple?
The young student was curious about why some wore the black sash and others didn't, though both showed similar martial prowess. The Master was approached, and the questions presented to him. His answer was lucid.
"What is a black sash? By now you know that it means entry into discipleship, one who has proven himself over a period of rigorous training. He is dedicated, loyal, knowledgeable and above all, trustworthy. So trustworthy, in fact, that they alone in the organization have a rank which automatically expires annually unless they prove they are still worthy.
"It is not an automatic award; there are no specific physical requirements to met for all. The number of forms is irrelevant. Intangible elements are the most important elements in this promotion. Taking responsibility for one's life and actions; the ability to respect a trust; the ability to be friend, counselor, sibling, or training companion. Out of the nearly 3000 students in this pai, only a very few have been the black sash.
"They do more than what is asked of them, seeing tasks not as duties but as challenges to learn from. They sacrifice time and effort. Rather than neglect work or school, they learn to cultivate each with their Kung Fu. They are competent in their chosen field, and use this knowledge to enhance that competence. They do not forget the philosophical principles after each class; they LIVE them. And they persevere, even-ESPECIALLY-when things get rough.
"They lead, not through intimidation or rank, but through compassion and respect. They are models, and people openly and genuinely respect them. And they learn, always."
The student pondered this answer for some time. He watched the senior students and new disciples work out, then he watched them during non-training time. In time he saw the difference in action between those who acted in full knowledge of their actions, and those desperately fighting a flow from outside
Finally he understood the whole point of the structure of Shaolin ranking, as it were. You could not be made into a worthy one, but rather you acknowledge that you are by being one. How subtle! How appropriate. How Shaolin.
LIFE IN THE TEMPLE
Part 1
It would be as difficult to describe an "average" day in the life of an "average" Shaolin monk because, as with almost all other human activities, each day and each life was different. What we shall attempt is a guided tour through a temple (based on oral history from Canton's temple) as it existed until about 1915. The features are generalized, but intended to give a vicarious feel for what the reality was like.
The grounds outside the temple contain a variety of agricultural gardens, where most of the monk's food is grown. The front walls, however, are landscaped to reflect Shaolin concepts of peace and harmony. Pine and bamboo are carefully tended to line the approachway, but a grassy area separates the front gates from the trees. This "moat" is about 40 feet wide, and provides an area of no cover for potential intruders to hide behind. It is also out here where most of the weapons practice takes place (only Hollywood could afford a temple so large that all its functions were contained within walls). The main entrance is barred by two huge, wooden gates, that close at right angles to each other; one swings like conventional doors, the other slides laterally from one wall to the other, providing extra protection against battering ram assaults. Normally, the front gates are used for ceremonial occasions, such as the exiting of a recently promoted monk. For today, the gate is secured, and we must enter by a smaller gate on one of the side walls.
As you walk along the side wall, you may observe a few monks playing traditional musical instruments, or attending a philosophical discussion with a senior monk. Though movies portray Shaolin as testosterone-enhanced mega-jocks, the temples were actually cultural centers, something like modern universities. It was believed that mastery could only come from attaining a harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Each monk, therefore, was versed in more than martial arts, which were actually considered among the lower levels of accomplishment. (Here we must digress; Shaolin did not belittle their kung fu, but saw it and the practitioner incomplete and rather wasted if fighting was all he could do well. Kung fu proved a peace of mind through superior firepower, but was mainly used for physical discipline. That discipline was expected to be used to improve the holistic person.)
You enter through a narrow stone portal, and pass into another garden, possibly planted with a variety of flowers. In a small adjacent courtyard some disciples are training in kung fu. Along the walls are benches, where younger students are mending clothes, making baskets, or practicing calligraphy. A stone building on the left is the granary, and just beyond are more monks making flour. All around you are people doing rather mundane activities, for this is the guts area, where food is stored and prepared, students study, and daily business with the outside world transacted. A large structure twenty yards to the right looks like a temple; you enter to find a small temple area, with an altar, statues, and burning joss sticks at the far end. This is not the main temple, but a disciple and student area for daily meditation. It is here where they receive morning and evening instructions in meditation and visualization, and during the daytime disciples are taught other aspects of coordination.
It is here where you may first notice that not all the inhabitants are men; nor are men the only monk trainees. Shaolin was dedicated to the universality of human experience, and denied no one with qualifications admittance (again, contrary to television). Among the most famous Shaolin were some of the "nuns", including southern green dragon co-founder Ng Mui, Wing Chun founder Ng Mui (separated by about ten generations, and probably no relation), and others. The chauvinistic idea that Shaolin was for men only is loudly declaimed by the very existence of two of the Temple's most famous and prestigious styles. As for the term "nun," a sad choice, but, like "priest," was taken from the familiar structure of Christian missionaries to name their "heathen" counterparts. Women in the temple had the same rights, privileges, responsibilities, and offices as the men. All were addressed as (loose translation) "monk." Only titles of specific address were gender-related (see RANKING), such that senior women were called "older sister", training masters called "aunt", and so on.
Moving out the far door and continuing to the left, you walk through a beautifully manicured garden. The path meanders among short islands of grass and carefully raked sand and gravel. Small trees are dotted among the islands. A pool of fish is on one side, and sitting near it is a monk in meditation. At the far end are some students, also meditating. Your walk ends abruptly at another wall, and you may go either left or right; going right, you eventually come to the end of the wall, which is the south face of the main and ceremonial temple building. Ahead some 200 feet is the main gate again, but instead we turn left and proceed across the barren courtyard towards the temple's entrance. We climb three sets of stone stairs and pass through an intricate door, each side supported by a column carved to resemble upwardly-flying dragons, their scale edges colored with gold, their bodies painted dark green. Across the entrance is a red plaque with gold characters that translate into "Shaolin Temple." Huge wooden doors would normally be closed, except when the temple is in ceremonial use; for now, they are open and we proceed inside.
Our eyes slowly adjust to the dark interior, illuminated today by a minimum number of candles along each wall. Above and behind the candles are statues, each 2-3 feet in height; along the left wall are various incarnations of the Buddha, Bodhidharma, and important Shaolin patriarchs from history. Along the right are depictions of the classical animals in a variety of fighting stances, each posed as if defending its human counterpart across the aisle. At the far end of the long hall is a giant statue of the Buddha.
As you leave by a small rear door from the main temple, you can again see the food area to the far left; ahead are the kitchens, eating, and sleeping areas; and to the far right a string of low buildings that house the common rooms, library, and writing areas. You walk through the dining hall into another narrow courtyard bordered by a low wall. At intervals along the wall are narrow entrances, each with a wooden door. Beyond each door is an area for the training and instruction of kung fu-these are the legendary chambers.
The training chambers of Shaolin have assumed a nearly mythical status among martial artists, probably because of the legendary results of their successful students. In reality, the chambers were simply training areas for different aspects of kung fu. Some were style-specific, that is, where you would learn the kuen (formwork) of tiger or dragon. Others were places for muscular development, such as horse-training and water-carrying chambers. Some taught coordination and reflex drills; combat and sparring; weapons use; and meditation and visualization techniques. The actual number of chambers varied, depending upon which temple you were in, the combination of skills taught as a "core" by particular training masters, and, naturally, the size of the temple. In Canton, for example, many chambers served double or triple functions. You might study a crane form in chamber 4 at 8 a.m., practice sparring there at 12, and return for coordination drills at 5.
Part 3
It is important to stress that more myth surrounds our general beliefs about Shaolin monks than is warranted. Among the readily dismissed fallacies are: Shaolin were all male, were celibate, were primarily warriors, studied primarily kung fu, were all trained physicians, were different somehow from other people. Myths place real people on pedestals, and this does nothing for potential students. After all, who could possibly and realistically expect to attain demi-godhood? Shaolin had their heroes and villains, ascetic priests and political rebels, devout celibates and prolific parents.
The most universally held belief seems to be that Shaolin was a place to study, first and foremost, kung fu. China has a history of hundreds of martial arts, only a small fraction being true "Shaolin" practices, so it was virtually never necessary to get thee to a convent to learn pugilism. In fact, the combat side of kung fu was taught to Shaolin disciples as a means of combating the self, to restrain ego and develop physical domain over your own body. Consider how little true control people generally have over themselves; we are never far from a "pathological" klutz, or people who revv their physical energies to little avail. When Bodhidharma instituted the practices that evolved into kung fu, his primary concern was to make the monks physically strong enough to withstand both the isolated lifestyle and the deceptively demanding training that meditation would require. In fact, it is one of the oldest Shaolin axioms that "one who engages in combat has already lost the battle." Such philosophies, alas, make for terrible movie plots...
The early phases of Shaolin training involved a lot of what we would call grammar school (for most students, entry was made when under the age of ten). Long days were spent learning to read and write, and quality calligraphy was seen as proof of a good education. Students also learned math, history, manners and customs, Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, painting, music, textile work, agriculture, pottery, and cooking. To be anything less than self-sufficient was seen as a failing of the training regimen. Older students and disciples would often write books of history, poetry, or natural history, while others would form musical ensembles (often with a master or two), paint, or learn medicine. It was one's development of the cultural side of life that mainly marked one's standing in the Shaolin community.
Hence the rather large amount of building space for housing a library, art materials, a music area, and other life-skills. Such interests were actively encouraged, and to again draw a parallel to modern American universities, such monks often taught "outreach" sessions to the local community. Wandering monks brought art, reading, medicine, and agriculture to remote villages, while people near a temple could come for sessions in all these topics. Mainly, however, they came for farming and medical assistance, as most Chinese villagers were not as intellectually active as some "New Agers" would have us believe.
Now for a controversial note: our instructors, all products of the old temples, taught that if a person study Shaolin and learn little more than kung fu, he was not Shaolin. All the arts of the temple were aimed at leading one closer to enlightenment by providing tools to make a whole person, or what we often call Renaissance people. A jack of many trades, master of one or two, those are qualities that define a priest, according to those who long made such designations in China. If you are a young person in school, do not sacrifice studies for martial arts; even if you learn skill, a tool with a dull edge is a dull tool of limited use.
3 STOOGES in the news again
chee's famous disciples - THE 3 STOOGES led by fattie john is in the news again. surely, their retreats in HOTEL PEESAILAND were worth all their kungful strokes fighting against the kangaroos. just a note: one full page SHIT TIMES would cost any advertisers at least 5-figures!
indirectly, the 3 stooges had won....well, in terms of ads money
Worst insult possible, says judge
Kangaroo T-shirts trio showed wilful, stubborn contempt for the courts
By Kor Kian Beng
-- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
View more photos
THREE men who wore T-shirts depicting a kangaroo dressed in judge's robes last year presented the worst form of insult possible against the court system here by calling it a 'kangaroo court'.
Justice Judith Prakash, who sentenced them to jail terms last November after finding them to be in contempt of court, said in her written judgment that their conduct showed a wilful and stubborn contempt for the integrity of the courts.
The white T-shirts that caused offence
THE Attorney-General's Chambers initiated contempt of court proceedings last October against Singapore Democratic Party assistant secretary-general John Tan, 47; activist Isrizal Mohamed Isa, 33; and full-time national serviceman Muhammad Shafi'ie Syahmi Sariman, 20.
This was after they 'scandalised the Singapore judiciary by publicly wearing identical white T-shirts, imprinted with a palm-sized picture of a kangaroo dressed in a judge's gown, within and in the vicinity of the New Supreme Court Building'.
... more
It was also designed to degrade the administration of justice here, she said in her judgment released yesterday.
'The imputation that the Singapore courts are 'kangaroo courts' was a serious and scurrilous insult that struck at the foundation, the body and the spirit of the justice system in Singapore,' she said in explaining her decision and sentencing.
'The message was that justice cannot be obtained in our courts and that our legal proceedings are a sham.'
Describing their actions as the worst form of insult possible against the court system, she said it merited a harsher punishment than that imposed previously.
'It was imperative that a clear message be sent to potential contemners that such attacks on the judiciary are not acceptable,' she said.
The trio in question were John Tan Liang Joo, 47, assistant secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); activist Isrizal Mohamed Isa, 33; and full-time national serviceman Muhammad Shafi'ie Syahmi Sariman, 20.
They wore the T-shirts when they attended a High Court hearing involving the SDP and its leaders last year.
In her 10-page judgment, Justice Prakash said a reasonable person who saw the T-shirts would conclude they were a reference to the expression 'kangaroo court' - and were intended to cast aspersions on the conduct of the hearings they attended, and the justice system here.
A kangaroo court is a court marked by unauthorised or irregular procedures, or sham and unfair legal proceedings.
Justice Prakash said she did not agree with the argument that their actions were fair criticism. She said that Tan had chosen to make a statement by wearing the T-shirt, 'and even worse, inciting others to wear it within the court's premises'.
'This amounted to a deliberate and provocative attack on the court, falling far outside the realm of fair and reasoned criticism,' she said.
Isrizal's contention that he had no intention to scandalise the judiciary 'was doubtful in the light of his subsequent refusal to apologise for his acts, on the basis that it would go against his conscience', she added.
She also dismissed attempts by Tan and Isrizal to blame others: The Straits Times for publishing a photograph of the trio in the T-shirts outside the court, and police officers for not telling them that the T-shirts were objectionable.
The question whether The Straits Times should be held liable for circulating the photograph was irrelevant to the question of the trio's liability as the element of publication is only necessary for establishing defamation, she said.
Also, the police officers were under no duty to warn them that they were potentially committing a contempt of court.
She said the trio posed at a spot where it was obvious they would be seen and photographed by the press.
Justice Prakash noted that Tan was also involved in posting an article with a photograph of them in the T-shirts on the SDP's website.
'It was clear to me that this case was about much more than merely wearing a T-shirt. The conduct of the (trio) communicated to an average member of the public (their) conviction that the Singapore courts are 'kangaroo courts',' she said.
Justice Prakash listed what she saw as aggravating factors that merited jail terms, including being 'deliberately unforthcoming' at the hearings.
Isrizal and Shafi'ie did not give a clear account of how and why they wore the T-shirts, and Tan and Shafi'ie did not explain what they had come to court to 'commemorate' by wearing the T-shirts.
'This lack of cooperation weighed against them in the determination of their sentences,' she said.
The trio's refusal to apologise when given an opportunity to do so demonstrated their lack of contrition, she added.
Justice Prakash singled out Tan, saying he was 'particularly recalcitrant'.
His comments that punishing him would be futile showed a lack of repentance that aggravated the offence. That he also distributed the T-shirts and was involved in the website posting made him more culpable than Isrizal and Shafi'ie.
indirectly, the 3 stooges had won....well, in terms of ads money
Worst insult possible, says judge
Kangaroo T-shirts trio showed wilful, stubborn contempt for the courts
By Kor Kian Beng
-- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
View more photos
THREE men who wore T-shirts depicting a kangaroo dressed in judge's robes last year presented the worst form of insult possible against the court system here by calling it a 'kangaroo court'.
Justice Judith Prakash, who sentenced them to jail terms last November after finding them to be in contempt of court, said in her written judgment that their conduct showed a wilful and stubborn contempt for the integrity of the courts.
The white T-shirts that caused offence
THE Attorney-General's Chambers initiated contempt of court proceedings last October against Singapore Democratic Party assistant secretary-general John Tan, 47; activist Isrizal Mohamed Isa, 33; and full-time national serviceman Muhammad Shafi'ie Syahmi Sariman, 20.
This was after they 'scandalised the Singapore judiciary by publicly wearing identical white T-shirts, imprinted with a palm-sized picture of a kangaroo dressed in a judge's gown, within and in the vicinity of the New Supreme Court Building'.
... more
It was also designed to degrade the administration of justice here, she said in her judgment released yesterday.
'The imputation that the Singapore courts are 'kangaroo courts' was a serious and scurrilous insult that struck at the foundation, the body and the spirit of the justice system in Singapore,' she said in explaining her decision and sentencing.
'The message was that justice cannot be obtained in our courts and that our legal proceedings are a sham.'
Describing their actions as the worst form of insult possible against the court system, she said it merited a harsher punishment than that imposed previously.
'It was imperative that a clear message be sent to potential contemners that such attacks on the judiciary are not acceptable,' she said.
The trio in question were John Tan Liang Joo, 47, assistant secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); activist Isrizal Mohamed Isa, 33; and full-time national serviceman Muhammad Shafi'ie Syahmi Sariman, 20.
They wore the T-shirts when they attended a High Court hearing involving the SDP and its leaders last year.
In her 10-page judgment, Justice Prakash said a reasonable person who saw the T-shirts would conclude they were a reference to the expression 'kangaroo court' - and were intended to cast aspersions on the conduct of the hearings they attended, and the justice system here.
A kangaroo court is a court marked by unauthorised or irregular procedures, or sham and unfair legal proceedings.
Justice Prakash said she did not agree with the argument that their actions were fair criticism. She said that Tan had chosen to make a statement by wearing the T-shirt, 'and even worse, inciting others to wear it within the court's premises'.
'This amounted to a deliberate and provocative attack on the court, falling far outside the realm of fair and reasoned criticism,' she said.
Isrizal's contention that he had no intention to scandalise the judiciary 'was doubtful in the light of his subsequent refusal to apologise for his acts, on the basis that it would go against his conscience', she added.
She also dismissed attempts by Tan and Isrizal to blame others: The Straits Times for publishing a photograph of the trio in the T-shirts outside the court, and police officers for not telling them that the T-shirts were objectionable.
The question whether The Straits Times should be held liable for circulating the photograph was irrelevant to the question of the trio's liability as the element of publication is only necessary for establishing defamation, she said.
Also, the police officers were under no duty to warn them that they were potentially committing a contempt of court.
She said the trio posed at a spot where it was obvious they would be seen and photographed by the press.
Justice Prakash noted that Tan was also involved in posting an article with a photograph of them in the T-shirts on the SDP's website.
'It was clear to me that this case was about much more than merely wearing a T-shirt. The conduct of the (trio) communicated to an average member of the public (their) conviction that the Singapore courts are 'kangaroo courts',' she said.
Justice Prakash listed what she saw as aggravating factors that merited jail terms, including being 'deliberately unforthcoming' at the hearings.
Isrizal and Shafi'ie did not give a clear account of how and why they wore the T-shirts, and Tan and Shafi'ie did not explain what they had come to court to 'commemorate' by wearing the T-shirts.
'This lack of cooperation weighed against them in the determination of their sentences,' she said.
The trio's refusal to apologise when given an opportunity to do so demonstrated their lack of contrition, she added.
Justice Prakash singled out Tan, saying he was 'particularly recalcitrant'.
His comments that punishing him would be futile showed a lack of repentance that aggravated the offence. That he also distributed the T-shirts and was involved in the website posting made him more culpable than Isrizal and Shafi'ie.
disciple of lamui
another lamei brushes with the law. wow!! must be a secret disciple of lamui!!
Feb 24, 2009
Wife admits bad behaviour
By Carolyn Quek
SHE had rushed to a roadblock to help her husband who had been nabbed for drink driving, but was in turn arrested for her disorderly behaviour.
Koh Gany, 29, jobless, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the offence on Feb 17 last year.
The court heard that at about 3am, Koh's husband Tong Kah Hoe, also 29, was caught for drink driving along Outram Road towards Tiong Bahru Road.
He called Koh and asked her to head to the scene with his father to drive the car away.
On seeing her husband being detained at 4am, she turned hysterical and began hurling vulgarities at the cops.
The cop, Nurhaidah Borhan, then a corporal, tried to calm her down but Koh demanded her husband be released and used her handphone to record the incident.
Koh also tried offering a lit cigarette to her husband. Cpl Nurhaidah stopped her, saying he was not allowed to smoke because he was under police custody.
When Koh pushed the traffic cop's hand away, she was warned not to obstruct the officers from carrying out their duties.
Next, the mother of two young children tried to hand her husband a bottle of water.
When Cpl Nurhaidah tried to stop her again, Koh pushed her away and then splashed water onto the officer's face.
Koh will be sentenced next month.
this lamei is surely many times hotter and more fiery. her kungfu skill is amazingly awesome. comparing to lamui, the grand old laukuaybu's prowess, lamui looks like a petite little girl with 2 neat ponytails sucking a lollipop.
Feb 24, 2009
Wife admits bad behaviour
By Carolyn Quek
SHE had rushed to a roadblock to help her husband who had been nabbed for drink driving, but was in turn arrested for her disorderly behaviour.
Koh Gany, 29, jobless, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the offence on Feb 17 last year.
The court heard that at about 3am, Koh's husband Tong Kah Hoe, also 29, was caught for drink driving along Outram Road towards Tiong Bahru Road.
He called Koh and asked her to head to the scene with his father to drive the car away.
On seeing her husband being detained at 4am, she turned hysterical and began hurling vulgarities at the cops.
The cop, Nurhaidah Borhan, then a corporal, tried to calm her down but Koh demanded her husband be released and used her handphone to record the incident.
Koh also tried offering a lit cigarette to her husband. Cpl Nurhaidah stopped her, saying he was not allowed to smoke because he was under police custody.
When Koh pushed the traffic cop's hand away, she was warned not to obstruct the officers from carrying out their duties.
Next, the mother of two young children tried to hand her husband a bottle of water.
When Cpl Nurhaidah tried to stop her again, Koh pushed her away and then splashed water onto the officer's face.
Koh will be sentenced next month.
this lamei is surely many times hotter and more fiery. her kungfu skill is amazingly awesome. comparing to lamui, the grand old laukuaybu's prowess, lamui looks like a petite little girl with 2 neat ponytails sucking a lollipop.
The greenhat swordsman
the following story appears to be a re-run of the famous THE GREENHAT SWORDSMAN adventure.....
Hubby forgives wife
The husband of the woman who became the first woman to be jailed for having sex with an underaged boy will not ask for a divorce. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
THE husband of the woman who became the first woman to be jailed for having sex with an underaged boy will not ask for a divorce.
'He told me he will not divorce his wife no matter what,' the man's mother told The New Paper. 'He is supporting her throughout this ordeal.'
The man's wife, 32, a former primary school teacher, was jailed 10 months on Monday for having sex with her student six times - twice at her flat and four times at a chalet.
Her husband did not show up in court on Monday and was also a no-show at her previous court appearances. But his mother, who is in her 60s, said he was supportive of his wife and had even driven her to court earlier on Monday morning.
'As his mother, I know he's heartbroken that his wife betrayed him. But he didn't show his sadness or cry in front of me. He is being very strong.'
She said that her daughter-in-law, whom she described as a quiet person, apologised to her after confessing to her son about the affair. 'My son had already forgiven her, so we did too,' she told the TNP.
The man's mother added her son was determined to keep the family together and not let the matter affect his work.
'He is working even harder now that they've become a single-income family and he has to continue paying their housing loan,' she said.
As the woman left for court on Monday, she bade her children farewell, the mother-in-law said. 'She didn't cry because if her children see her crying, they will cry too.' The family intends to tell the children that their mother has gone overseas to work.
'What happened was shameful but she is facing up to the consequences of her mistake,' the mother-in-law said.
Hubby forgives wife
The husband of the woman who became the first woman to be jailed for having sex with an underaged boy will not ask for a divorce. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
THE husband of the woman who became the first woman to be jailed for having sex with an underaged boy will not ask for a divorce.
'He told me he will not divorce his wife no matter what,' the man's mother told The New Paper. 'He is supporting her throughout this ordeal.'
The man's wife, 32, a former primary school teacher, was jailed 10 months on Monday for having sex with her student six times - twice at her flat and four times at a chalet.
Her husband did not show up in court on Monday and was also a no-show at her previous court appearances. But his mother, who is in her 60s, said he was supportive of his wife and had even driven her to court earlier on Monday morning.
'As his mother, I know he's heartbroken that his wife betrayed him. But he didn't show his sadness or cry in front of me. He is being very strong.'
She said that her daughter-in-law, whom she described as a quiet person, apologised to her after confessing to her son about the affair. 'My son had already forgiven her, so we did too,' she told the TNP.
The man's mother added her son was determined to keep the family together and not let the matter affect his work.
'He is working even harder now that they've become a single-income family and he has to continue paying their housing loan,' she said.
As the woman left for court on Monday, she bade her children farewell, the mother-in-law said. 'She didn't cry because if her children see her crying, they will cry too.' The family intends to tell the children that their mother has gone overseas to work.
'What happened was shameful but she is facing up to the consequences of her mistake,' the mother-in-law said.
JJ found bluesotong to love him!
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gay lovers from BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN combining their martial art skills in loving flirts. most probably lovey-dovey over the msn at the same time.
probability:
1. ejay trying to teeko lamei (she's 24/7 log on)
2. ejay trying to teeko bluesotong (he's 24/7 log on, too)
3. bluesotong trying to teeko lamei ( both 24/7 log on).
2 clones, 3 possible actors behind it.
ejay is definitely the pirate copy leetahsar. guess who is the other?
another dark horse possibility many might not know.
4. babaero11 trying to teeko lamei. (you be surprised how many she has msn to do her dirty works.)
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gay lovers from BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN combining their martial art skills in loving flirts. most probably lovey-dovey over the msn at the same time.
probability:
1. ejay trying to teeko lamei (she's 24/7 log on)
2. ejay trying to teeko bluesotong (he's 24/7 log on, too)
3. bluesotong trying to teeko lamei ( both 24/7 log on).
2 clones, 3 possible actors behind it.
ejay is definitely the pirate copy leetahsar. guess who is the other?
another dark horse possibility many might not know.
4. babaero11 trying to teeko lamei. (you be surprised how many she has msn to do her dirty works.)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
the pirate copy of LEETAHSAR - exposed!!
it was none other than NG EJAY, the turdy nerd who was once pal to my li'l brother leetahsar. it seems that ejay couldn't have enough of LEETAHSAR. i believe he's drastically devastated when his nic kaixin1 was exposed cos he couldn't be noti to post XXX geylang cheongster's stories for which he isn't. he is a shy and bashful nerd. but once behind that keyboard, he's "transformed" into characters of his inner whims and inferiority complexities.
i suppose this explain why he's the best shapeshifters in forums - THE TRUE SNAKE!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by leetahsar
bapok retard why you make so many enemies har?
you're so very unsecured even with all the might of your pap masters behind your kar chng!
go and fuck yourself dead.
hi, ng ejay!! u really miss LEETAHSAR so much, huh?
[God Meng Seng
Alfrescian Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 63
My Reputation:Points: 19 / Power: 5
Re: Opposition-bashing in "Opposition unity" forum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by leetahsar
bapok bob sim with your pap kangaroo courts anything can happen
Ng E-Jay, why must you register 20 nicks just to bash my beloved instrument Leetahbar?
To ashamed and too cowardly to log in using your real name?
Too cowardly to whack WP using your real name?
What happened to that brave guy who wrote to ST forum bashing WP?
LOL!
You have no future in politics, Mr Ng. Whoever stands in an election with you will lose his or her deposit. No one will dare touch you with a 10 foot pole.
You have lost the respect of all the opposition parties, and the whole of civil society.
You have absolutely no future in the political arena, Mr Ng.
Or should I call you ... guavatree?
LOL!!!!!!
God Meng Seng
__________________
BEHOLD, Peril lies at the heart of Choice, for should ye vote awry, all of Opposition Politics in Singapore will be bent to the design of Wayang, and True Opposition will perish and be no more.
]
__________________
emptiness is form...form is emptiness
i suppose this explain why he's the best shapeshifters in forums - THE TRUE SNAKE!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by leetahsar
bapok retard why you make so many enemies har?
you're so very unsecured even with all the might of your pap masters behind your kar chng!
go and fuck yourself dead.
hi, ng ejay!! u really miss LEETAHSAR so much, huh?
[God Meng Seng
Alfrescian Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 63
My Reputation:Points: 19 / Power: 5
Re: Opposition-bashing in "Opposition unity" forum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by leetahsar
bapok bob sim with your pap kangaroo courts anything can happen
Ng E-Jay, why must you register 20 nicks just to bash my beloved instrument Leetahbar?
To ashamed and too cowardly to log in using your real name?
Too cowardly to whack WP using your real name?
What happened to that brave guy who wrote to ST forum bashing WP?
LOL!
You have no future in politics, Mr Ng. Whoever stands in an election with you will lose his or her deposit. No one will dare touch you with a 10 foot pole.
You have lost the respect of all the opposition parties, and the whole of civil society.
You have absolutely no future in the political arena, Mr Ng.
Or should I call you ... guavatree?
LOL!!!!!!
God Meng Seng
__________________
BEHOLD, Peril lies at the heart of Choice, for should ye vote awry, all of Opposition Politics in Singapore will be bent to the design of Wayang, and True Opposition will perish and be no more.
]
__________________
emptiness is form...form is emptiness
Monday, February 23, 2009
PIRATE COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL LEETAHSAR
Re: Martial arts in local politics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOL! u r such a regular obssessed stalking fan!!
Martial arts in local politics ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)
leetahbar Today 01:32 PM
by leetahsar* 873 11,217
*this leetahsar who is always stalking LEETAHBAR in the new sbf kopitiam is not the ORIGINAL LEETAHSAR from this blog. he's some balless coward who's trying to steal the limelight. many readers have analysed to me that he's most probably thum beng fatt or bluesotong aka thum being fuck. other have said that it's highly probably that it could be ng ejay. then again lamei aka jaslyn go hui leng, the desperate fishmonger who's 24/7 on the net is also a prime suspect. there is another highly obssesive stalker. he should be babaero11, a fake pinoy who's name is PETER NG (wonder that could be fake too?) this last chap is 40+ - as claimed by him who the original LEETAHSAR met in meiling street market with one of his pal. babaero11 has been posting in other pirated sbf kopitiams non-stop about LTS. his sexual deviation and pervertness could be easily discernible.
bluesotong, babaero11, lamei and ng ejay are seldom heard posting in www.sammyboy.com or sbf kopitiam. but all these people have a very irritable and despicable skill as appearing in "clones" or other nics. it's very obvious when u notice how the clones stalk LEETAHBAR's postings. vengeful, petty and very insiduous mental clowns who could be suffering from some form of pyschosis or a personal/character defects.
anyway, my moniker LEETAHSAR has been hijacked since the closure of the old sbf kopitiam. be informed about that and observe the literary style which is more like a broken repetitive records with no meaningful contributions whatsoever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOL! u r such a regular obssessed stalking fan!!
Martial arts in local politics ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)
leetahbar Today 01:32 PM
by leetahsar* 873 11,217
*this leetahsar who is always stalking LEETAHBAR in the new sbf kopitiam is not the ORIGINAL LEETAHSAR from this blog. he's some balless coward who's trying to steal the limelight. many readers have analysed to me that he's most probably thum beng fatt or bluesotong aka thum being fuck. other have said that it's highly probably that it could be ng ejay. then again lamei aka jaslyn go hui leng, the desperate fishmonger who's 24/7 on the net is also a prime suspect. there is another highly obssesive stalker. he should be babaero11, a fake pinoy who's name is PETER NG (wonder that could be fake too?) this last chap is 40+ - as claimed by him who the original LEETAHSAR met in meiling street market with one of his pal. babaero11 has been posting in other pirated sbf kopitiams non-stop about LTS. his sexual deviation and pervertness could be easily discernible.
bluesotong, babaero11, lamei and ng ejay are seldom heard posting in www.sammyboy.com or sbf kopitiam. but all these people have a very irritable and despicable skill as appearing in "clones" or other nics. it's very obvious when u notice how the clones stalk LEETAHBAR's postings. vengeful, petty and very insiduous mental clowns who could be suffering from some form of pyschosis or a personal/character defects.
anyway, my moniker LEETAHSAR has been hijacked since the closure of the old sbf kopitiam. be informed about that and observe the literary style which is more like a broken repetitive records with no meaningful contributions whatsoever.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
only the holy. holey.....HOOLEEY
Let's get holy!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans for S'pore project on Buddhist site
Pilgrims House will be built in ancient holy town of Bodh Gaya in India, says George Yeo
By Ravi Velloor, South Asia Bureau Chief
Mr George Yeo (centre) was on a three-day trip to Bihar that ended on Saturday. -- PHOTO: MFA
Nalanda, Bihar - A touch of Singapore will soon grace Bodh Gaya in India, the most important of the four main pilgrim sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha.
A Singapore Pilgrims House will take its place alongside similar facilities set up in this ancient Buddhist holy town by several countries.
Foreign Minister George Yeo announced the plans after calling on Mr Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of India's eastern state of Bihar, last Friday.
'The Bihar Chief Minister has offered us two plots of land, both very good,' said Mr Yeo, speaking in Patna, the Bihar capital.
'We will choose one and I hope work on this will begin very quickly. I want to thank the Chief Minister on behalf of the entire Singapore Buddhist community.'
Bodh Gaya, in Bihar's Gaya district, is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The area, along with nearby Buddhist sites such as Nalanda and Varanasi, draws thousands of visitors every year.
There are also plans to build a new Nalanda International University here. The site is a 10-minute drive from the ruins of the ancient university believed to have been set up around the 5th century.
Excavations of the ancient site have revealed a campus so large that it accommodated 10,000 students and 1,500 teachers in its prime. Among its alumni was the Chinese monk Xuan Zang, who arrived here to study Buddhism 1,300 years ago.
Singapore's interest in the project was kindled in February 2006 when then-Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on a visit to the island, mentioned his interest in seeing the ancient university revived.
Since then, Singapore has taken the lead in gaining acceptability for the project in Asia and hosted the inaugural meeting of the Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) in July 2007.
Mr Yeo was on a three-day trip to Bihar that ended yesterday. He participated in the final meeting of the mentor group, set up to revive the world's most ancient seat of learning.
Accompanying him were delegates from the Singapore Buddhist Federation and Singapore Buddhist Lodge.
Mr Yeo last visited Bodh Gaya in 2002, when the Mahabodhi Temple here was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
He painted the Nalanda university project and the push by the Indian government to promote its Buddhist heritage sites such as Bodh Gaya as measures that may lead to a revival for all of Bihar state.
Millions of visitors from East Asia are expected to come in future. Many will visit the holy sites of Buddhism - Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. This is expected to boost prosperity in the area.
'Of course, you need all kinds of things and Nalanda university would be an important piece in this much larger scheme of development,' he added.
'But the fact that centuries ago the local economy could have supported such a huge university shows there is in this land something special.'
velloor@sph.com.sg
Big boost for Bihar
'Nalanda University would be an important piece in this much larger scheme of development... The fact that centuries ago the local economy could have supported such a huge university shows there is in this land something special.'
MR YEO, who visited the site of the ancient Nalanda university with other NMG members and participated in the final meeting of the mentor group set up to revive the world's most ancient seat of learning
wowsay!! a sinkie's own pilgrimage retreat in INDIA!! soon, peesailand might have another sinkie's pilgrimage land in JERUSALUEM or another muslim one in MECCA or maybe another taoist in MT WU TANG.
when the pockets are holey, let's get HOLY....and noti clones shall get HOOLEEY. u see what i mean soon LOL!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans for S'pore project on Buddhist site
Pilgrims House will be built in ancient holy town of Bodh Gaya in India, says George Yeo
By Ravi Velloor, South Asia Bureau Chief
Mr George Yeo (centre) was on a three-day trip to Bihar that ended on Saturday. -- PHOTO: MFA
Nalanda, Bihar - A touch of Singapore will soon grace Bodh Gaya in India, the most important of the four main pilgrim sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha.
A Singapore Pilgrims House will take its place alongside similar facilities set up in this ancient Buddhist holy town by several countries.
Foreign Minister George Yeo announced the plans after calling on Mr Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of India's eastern state of Bihar, last Friday.
'The Bihar Chief Minister has offered us two plots of land, both very good,' said Mr Yeo, speaking in Patna, the Bihar capital.
'We will choose one and I hope work on this will begin very quickly. I want to thank the Chief Minister on behalf of the entire Singapore Buddhist community.'
Bodh Gaya, in Bihar's Gaya district, is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The area, along with nearby Buddhist sites such as Nalanda and Varanasi, draws thousands of visitors every year.
There are also plans to build a new Nalanda International University here. The site is a 10-minute drive from the ruins of the ancient university believed to have been set up around the 5th century.
Excavations of the ancient site have revealed a campus so large that it accommodated 10,000 students and 1,500 teachers in its prime. Among its alumni was the Chinese monk Xuan Zang, who arrived here to study Buddhism 1,300 years ago.
Singapore's interest in the project was kindled in February 2006 when then-Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on a visit to the island, mentioned his interest in seeing the ancient university revived.
Since then, Singapore has taken the lead in gaining acceptability for the project in Asia and hosted the inaugural meeting of the Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) in July 2007.
Mr Yeo was on a three-day trip to Bihar that ended yesterday. He participated in the final meeting of the mentor group, set up to revive the world's most ancient seat of learning.
Accompanying him were delegates from the Singapore Buddhist Federation and Singapore Buddhist Lodge.
Mr Yeo last visited Bodh Gaya in 2002, when the Mahabodhi Temple here was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
He painted the Nalanda university project and the push by the Indian government to promote its Buddhist heritage sites such as Bodh Gaya as measures that may lead to a revival for all of Bihar state.
Millions of visitors from East Asia are expected to come in future. Many will visit the holy sites of Buddhism - Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. This is expected to boost prosperity in the area.
'Of course, you need all kinds of things and Nalanda university would be an important piece in this much larger scheme of development,' he added.
'But the fact that centuries ago the local economy could have supported such a huge university shows there is in this land something special.'
velloor@sph.com.sg
Big boost for Bihar
'Nalanda University would be an important piece in this much larger scheme of development... The fact that centuries ago the local economy could have supported such a huge university shows there is in this land something special.'
MR YEO, who visited the site of the ancient Nalanda university with other NMG members and participated in the final meeting of the mentor group set up to revive the world's most ancient seat of learning
wowsay!! a sinkie's own pilgrimage retreat in INDIA!! soon, peesailand might have another sinkie's pilgrimage land in JERUSALUEM or another muslim one in MECCA or maybe another taoist in MT WU TANG.
when the pockets are holey, let's get HOLY....and noti clones shall get HOOLEEY. u see what i mean soon LOL!!
Clueless in peesailand.....
of clueless, just say clueless....but don't worry, your high pays stay put that's why peasants are clueless too.
Feb 23, 2009
Brace for worse times
PM Lee warns of a domino effect from Eastern Europe to Asia
By Clarissa Oon, Senior Political Correspondent
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
THE next six months will be especially tough for Singapore as there is worse to come in the global economy, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told employers and unionists yesterday.
The US economy is sick, Western Europe has its own problems and Eastern European economies pose another danger because they have borrowed too much in foreign currencies from Western European banks.
PM Lee says: On losses by govt investment firms
'In a year like this, the only way not to lose money is to take it all out and then lock it up in a safe deposit in the bank. If you've invested in shares, if you've invested in real estate, if you've invested in nearly anything in the world, in a year like this, the value will go down.
'But what you must make sure is that you have an investment strategy which will see you through good years and bad years on a long-term basis. Not to make money every year, year by year, because that is impossible.
... more
If Eastern European economies crash, 'it's a big problem for the European banks who are exposed to Eastern Europe, (and) it's a problem for Asia too because these same European banks are very active and big lenders in Asia'.
The domino effect from Eastern Europe would be another example of 'something far away...coming back to our part of the world' and affecting business here, he said in a speech at the NTUC Centre.
One sector which has already felt the effects of such a chain reaction is manufacturing, which makes up a quarter of Singapore's gross domestic product.
Almost everything Singapore produces is exported, so with exports down by a third due to falling global demand, manufacturing also declines by almost a third and GDP goes down by one-twelfth, the Prime Minister noted.
Trade volumes are so dismal that 'containers are being shipped from China to Europe for free' and two-thirds of the cranes at the Port of Singapore Authority are sometimes standing idle, he added.
The financial crisis has created a global industrial crisis, the latest issue of financial news weekly The Economist reported. Industrial production has fallen year-on-year by 13.8 per cent and 16.4 per cent in the United States and Britain respectively.
'Half-empty freighters are just one sign of a worldwide collapse in manufacturing,' said The Economist, which observed that half of China's 9,000 toy exporters have gone bust and that Taiwan's shipments of notebook computers fell by a third last month.
Mr Lee noted that Asian economies have been badly affected by the crisis, putting paid to Singapore's initial hopes that 'Asia, further away from ground zero, would be immune'.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_341829.html
Feb 23, 2009
Brace for worse times
PM Lee warns of a domino effect from Eastern Europe to Asia
By Clarissa Oon, Senior Political Correspondent
ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
THE next six months will be especially tough for Singapore as there is worse to come in the global economy, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told employers and unionists yesterday.
The US economy is sick, Western Europe has its own problems and Eastern European economies pose another danger because they have borrowed too much in foreign currencies from Western European banks.
PM Lee says: On losses by govt investment firms
'In a year like this, the only way not to lose money is to take it all out and then lock it up in a safe deposit in the bank. If you've invested in shares, if you've invested in real estate, if you've invested in nearly anything in the world, in a year like this, the value will go down.
'But what you must make sure is that you have an investment strategy which will see you through good years and bad years on a long-term basis. Not to make money every year, year by year, because that is impossible.
... more
If Eastern European economies crash, 'it's a big problem for the European banks who are exposed to Eastern Europe, (and) it's a problem for Asia too because these same European banks are very active and big lenders in Asia'.
The domino effect from Eastern Europe would be another example of 'something far away...coming back to our part of the world' and affecting business here, he said in a speech at the NTUC Centre.
One sector which has already felt the effects of such a chain reaction is manufacturing, which makes up a quarter of Singapore's gross domestic product.
Almost everything Singapore produces is exported, so with exports down by a third due to falling global demand, manufacturing also declines by almost a third and GDP goes down by one-twelfth, the Prime Minister noted.
Trade volumes are so dismal that 'containers are being shipped from China to Europe for free' and two-thirds of the cranes at the Port of Singapore Authority are sometimes standing idle, he added.
The financial crisis has created a global industrial crisis, the latest issue of financial news weekly The Economist reported. Industrial production has fallen year-on-year by 13.8 per cent and 16.4 per cent in the United States and Britain respectively.
'Half-empty freighters are just one sign of a worldwide collapse in manufacturing,' said The Economist, which observed that half of China's 9,000 toy exporters have gone bust and that Taiwan's shipments of notebook computers fell by a third last month.
Mr Lee noted that Asian economies have been badly affected by the crisis, putting paid to Singapore's initial hopes that 'Asia, further away from ground zero, would be immune'.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_341829.html
Thursday, February 19, 2009
demise of pugilist master JBJ hides a secret lesson
grand old kungfu master JBJ's demise actually hides a valuable lesson: NO ONE LIVES PERMANENTLY. jbj was a high-spirited martial exponent tirelessly fighting against the LEEgime. it was regretful that he overlooked that age had caught up with him. even if he still possessed the undelectable passionate spirit and love for peasants, his frail flesh gave way....and it failed him in a most opportuned timing when he rebuilt himself after being internally injured for years by the tyrant lau beh see and his cronies.
fast forward to the present. lau beh see himself is now in the similar situation with the late jbj. beh see's spirit is still as high and peasants could even notice sometimes fire burning in his eyes. again, the spirit can live forever but not the flesh.
lau beh see now controls the biggest territory of peesailand the TG PAGAR GRC and assisted by his 6 pretty boys and girls who have yet to prove their prowess under the tutelage of the old terror. laubehsee might be the terror but surely no matter how powerful he can be, it got to end one day.
this coming 5 YRS ONCE PUGILISITIC MEET may prove fatal to laubehsee. once being the strongest terror in the LEEgime could now be the weakest link or the ARCHILLES' HEEL to his pappies who are his large followers and disciples.
all outstanding well-versed kungfu masters from different clans should now combine and join forces to take on TG PAGAR GRC. laubehsee might be able to ward off attacking blows well, but surely at his advanced age, his machinery would bound to fail. if it fails, laubehsee would have to continue the duel with the late kungfu master JBJ in the netherland world. this would leave laubehsee's pretty boys and girls in a disarray and pandemonium might break loose for power domination within his sect.
good idea? lame story? whatever it is, u never try, u never know, right?
fast forward to the present. lau beh see himself is now in the similar situation with the late jbj. beh see's spirit is still as high and peasants could even notice sometimes fire burning in his eyes. again, the spirit can live forever but not the flesh.
lau beh see now controls the biggest territory of peesailand the TG PAGAR GRC and assisted by his 6 pretty boys and girls who have yet to prove their prowess under the tutelage of the old terror. laubehsee might be the terror but surely no matter how powerful he can be, it got to end one day.
this coming 5 YRS ONCE PUGILISITIC MEET may prove fatal to laubehsee. once being the strongest terror in the LEEgime could now be the weakest link or the ARCHILLES' HEEL to his pappies who are his large followers and disciples.
all outstanding well-versed kungfu masters from different clans should now combine and join forces to take on TG PAGAR GRC. laubehsee might be able to ward off attacking blows well, but surely at his advanced age, his machinery would bound to fail. if it fails, laubehsee would have to continue the duel with the late kungfu master JBJ in the netherland world. this would leave laubehsee's pretty boys and girls in a disarray and pandemonium might break loose for power domination within his sect.
good idea? lame story? whatever it is, u never try, u never know, right?
Archilles' heels of the leegime
no matter how strong the adversary is, there is also a certain weak spot. if the opp pugilists were to defeat and overthrow the LEEgime, they have to pinpoint that spot. the following story could be a hint to all the opp warriors
lau lee seems trapped in time playing the multi-racial issue. if we are chinese, malays, indians or eurasians - all being the 5 main races here, we are now SINGAPOREANS! many have served NS....and isn't NS for singapore?
many singaporeans have already moved on. maybe it's about time lau lee should retire. if not, there is actually a way to compel him to retire - PERMANENTLY! read this:
insider65 4:52 am
To: ALL (2 of 8)
7498.2 in reply to 7498.1
We can be cordial with respect here to engage in meaningful conversations. This is not Stomp or some immature forum we hope.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is PAP. He can swing votes anywhere he goes. Even the hardest detractors have a sweet spot for him. We know of many hardcore Worker's Party supporters from the Anson days who have reverence for the man. Its a numbers game.
And you have rightly pointed out that Tanjong Pagar GRC could prove to be the Achilles heel for the PAP. Would you believe it that MacRitchie Reservoir is part of this GRC? Incredulous but no one's complaining.I don't think a single person has come to an MPS and voiced this out.We are not sure with the possible new changes to the boundaries though. We don't read the Gazette but the Parliament Hansard we do.Ever wondered why the budget debates were taken of the CNA website?
Tanjong Pagar GRC been a walkover since 1991.It is a fortress built on myth. Its boundaries and constituencies have been cut and sliced up on 4 occasions. Again demographics come into play. A 30% win for the opposition is possible for this 150,000 GRC. Its an unknown entity.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew has not been tested since 1988 when a little known Independent GT Mylvaganam got 18% of votes. If this unknown chap can get 18% we didn't see why the Opposition parties did not contest every election since then. I was there at the rallies in Tanjong Pagar. It was electrifying.
In 2006,the Worker's Party sent a 'suicide squad' to get a mandate for the Prime Minister. Why not send another one to keep the Minister Mentor pre-occupied. All the MM has to do is show up,wave and endorse our candidates at Aljunied GRC. Such is the enigma. My advice of the day. Keep him busy at his own ward.
You see. It's not the PAP's fault that it is good. It's the opposition parties and its supporters who are not strategic and building inroads when the GRCs were first formed in 1988.The leaders of the opposition lacked foresight and were led by individuals with egos who never looked at succession.
The opposition parties have to work now. Collectively it is plausible for one GRC to fall. It depends on how much the opposition wants it and how hard its supporters are willing to work for it. The supporters should be going out there and helping their respective parties canvassing for votes and support.The PAP can afford to hang on to it's brand for the next 5 elections at least or through two downturns or one severe recession cycles.
Have a long term plan to wrest a GRC within 3 elections and you are heading in the right step. A good showing in this is very important. This Tanjong Pagar GRC contest will be unexpected. The PAP will never expect this. But they need it to weed out the weaker and complacent leaders.
opp parties should combine their strength and fight against him in this super GRC. even if his spirit is willing, his flesh is weak...maybe he could just go meet and spar with the late jbj if this challenge against tg pagar GRC were to be taken up
lau lee seems trapped in time playing the multi-racial issue. if we are chinese, malays, indians or eurasians - all being the 5 main races here, we are now SINGAPOREANS! many have served NS....and isn't NS for singapore?
many singaporeans have already moved on. maybe it's about time lau lee should retire. if not, there is actually a way to compel him to retire - PERMANENTLY! read this:
insider65 4:52 am
To: ALL (2 of 8)
7498.2 in reply to 7498.1
We can be cordial with respect here to engage in meaningful conversations. This is not Stomp or some immature forum we hope.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is PAP. He can swing votes anywhere he goes. Even the hardest detractors have a sweet spot for him. We know of many hardcore Worker's Party supporters from the Anson days who have reverence for the man. Its a numbers game.
And you have rightly pointed out that Tanjong Pagar GRC could prove to be the Achilles heel for the PAP. Would you believe it that MacRitchie Reservoir is part of this GRC? Incredulous but no one's complaining.I don't think a single person has come to an MPS and voiced this out.We are not sure with the possible new changes to the boundaries though. We don't read the Gazette but the Parliament Hansard we do.Ever wondered why the budget debates were taken of the CNA website?
Tanjong Pagar GRC been a walkover since 1991.It is a fortress built on myth. Its boundaries and constituencies have been cut and sliced up on 4 occasions. Again demographics come into play. A 30% win for the opposition is possible for this 150,000 GRC. Its an unknown entity.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew has not been tested since 1988 when a little known Independent GT Mylvaganam got 18% of votes. If this unknown chap can get 18% we didn't see why the Opposition parties did not contest every election since then. I was there at the rallies in Tanjong Pagar. It was electrifying.
In 2006,the Worker's Party sent a 'suicide squad' to get a mandate for the Prime Minister. Why not send another one to keep the Minister Mentor pre-occupied. All the MM has to do is show up,wave and endorse our candidates at Aljunied GRC. Such is the enigma. My advice of the day. Keep him busy at his own ward.
You see. It's not the PAP's fault that it is good. It's the opposition parties and its supporters who are not strategic and building inroads when the GRCs were first formed in 1988.The leaders of the opposition lacked foresight and were led by individuals with egos who never looked at succession.
The opposition parties have to work now. Collectively it is plausible for one GRC to fall. It depends on how much the opposition wants it and how hard its supporters are willing to work for it. The supporters should be going out there and helping their respective parties canvassing for votes and support.The PAP can afford to hang on to it's brand for the next 5 elections at least or through two downturns or one severe recession cycles.
Have a long term plan to wrest a GRC within 3 elections and you are heading in the right step. A good showing in this is very important. This Tanjong Pagar GRC contest will be unexpected. The PAP will never expect this. But they need it to weed out the weaker and complacent leaders.
opp parties should combine their strength and fight against him in this super GRC. even if his spirit is willing, his flesh is weak...maybe he could just go meet and spar with the late jbj if this challenge against tg pagar GRC were to be taken up
wow!! tg pagar grc is such a stretch!!! *faint*
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP01 The area bounded by Eng Neo Avenue,
Pan- Island Expressway, the production of
HillCrest Road, HillCrest Road, Watten
Rise, Watten Estate Road and canal
(between Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah
Road).
TP02 The area bounded by Pan-Island Expressway,
Adam Road, canal (between Dunearn
Road and Bukit Timah Road), Watten
Estate Road, Watten Rise, HillCrest Road
and its production.
TP03 The area bounded by Pan-Island Expressway,
Whitley Road, perimeter fence of
Catholic Junior College, Malcolm Road,
Mount Rosie Road, Chancery Lane, canal
(between Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah
Road) and Adam Road.
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR —continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP11 The area bounded by Hampshire Road,
Race Course Road, Owen Road, Serangoon
Road, canal (along Bukit Timah and
Kampong Java Road).
TP12 The area bounded by Bukit Timah Road,
canal (along Kampong Java Road and Bukit
Timah Road), Selegie Road, Prinsep Street,
Orchard Road and Scotts Road.
TP13 The area bounded by Orchard Road,
Stamford Road, Hill Street, Singapore
River, Kim Seng Road, Irwell Bank Road,
Grange Road and Paterson Road.
TP14 The area bounded by canal (between Bukit
Timah Road and Dunearn Road), Scotts
Road, Orchard Road, Tanglin Road, Napier
Road, Cluny Road, Dalvey Road, Stevens
Road, Robin Road and Bukit Timah Road.
TP15 The area bounded by canal (between Bukit
Timah Road and Dunearn Road), Bukit
Timah Road, Robin Road, Stevens Road,
Dalvey Road, Cluny Road, Holland Road
and Farrer Road.
TP16 The area bounded by Holland Road, Napier
Road, Tanglin Road, Orchard Road,
Paterson Road, Grange Road, Irwell Bank
Road, Kim Seng Road, canal, Delta Road,
Jervois Road, Kay Siang Road, along
northern and western perimeter fence of
former National Institute of Education,
Margaret Drive and Queensway.
TP17 The area bounded by Dawson Road,
western and northern perimeter fence of
former National Institute of Education, Kay
Siang Road, Jervois Road, Delta Road and
Alexandra Road.
124 REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP18 The area bounded by Margaret Drive,
Dawson Road, Alexandra Road, Commonwealth
Avenue, Strathmore Avenue,
Dundee Road, along the northern fringe of
Church of the Good Shepherd and eastern
perimeter fence of Queenstown Primary
School.
TP19 The area bounded by Margaret Drive,
eastern perimeter fence of Queenstown
Primary School, along the northern fringe
of Church of Good Shepherd, Dundee
Road, Strathmore Avenue, Commonwealth
Avenue, Alexandra Road, Queensway,
imaginary boundary between Block Nos.
168A, 171A, 171, Tiong Ghee Temple and
The Anchorage (common boundary of
TP19 and TP25), Stirling Road, another
imaginary boundary between Block Nos.
184, 183 and Block No. 58 (common
boundary between TP19 and TP23),
Commonwealth Avenue and Queensway.
TP20 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Avenue, Queensway, Commonwealth Drive,
Tanglin Halt Road, imaginary boundary
between Block Nos. 51, 50 and Block Nos.
47, 48, 49 (common boundary of TP20 and
TP21) and Commonwealth Drive.
TP21 The area bounded by Tanglin Halt Road,
Commonwealth Drive and imaginary
boundary as described in TP20 (common
boundary of TP21 and TP20).
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 125
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP22 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Drive, Queensway, imaginary boundary
running westward from Block No. 22
towards railway line (common boundary of
TP22 and TP23), railway line, another
imaginary boundary from railway line along
Block Nos. 79, 80 up to Commonwealth
Drive (common boundary of TP22 and
WEST COAST).
TP23 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Avenue, imaginary boundary as described in
TP19 (common boundary of TP23 and
TP19), Stirling Road, Mei Chin Road, Mei
Ling Street, Mei Chin Road, Queensway,
Alexandra Road, railway line, another
imaginary boundary as described in TP22
(common boundary of TP23 and TP22) and
Queensway.
TP24 The area bounded by Mei Chin Road,
Stirling Road, Mei Chin Road and Mei Ling
Street.
TP25 The area bounded by Stirling Road,
imaginary boundary as described in TP19
(common boundary of TP25 and TP19),
Queensway and Mei Chin Road.
TP26 The area bounded by Alexandra Road,
Tiong Bahru Road, Leng Kee Road, Hoy
Fatt Road, Jalan Rumah Tinggi and
imaginary boundary between Block Nos. 36,
10, 7, 12, IKEA Building and Block No. 35,
ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre,
Block No. 3, former SAFRA Bukit Merah
(common boundary of TP26 and TP27).
126 REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP27 The area bounded by Alexandra Road,
imaginary boundary as described in TP26
(common boundary of TP27 and TP26),
Jalan Rumah Tinggi, Hoy Fatt Road, Jalan
Bukit Merah, Bukit Merah Central, another
imaginary boundary between Spring
Singapore, Block No. 1002 and Block No.
1003 (common boundary of TP27 and TP31)
and railway line.
TP28 The area bounded by Hoy Fatt Road,
imaginary boundary between Block Nos. 51,
55 and Block Nos. 52, 56 (common
boundary of TP28 and TP29), Lengkok
Bahru, northern and eastern perimeter
fence of Bukit Merah Secondary School and
Jalan Bukit Merah.
TP29 The area bounded by Leng Kee Road,
Tiong Bahru Road, Jalan Tiong, Lengkok
Bahru, imaginary boundary as described in
TP28 (common boundary of TP29 and
TP28) and Hoy Fatt Road.
TP30 The area bounded by Tiong Bahru Road,
Redhill Close, the part of Redhill Close
(between Block Nos. 70A, 70, 12, 11, 10 and
Block Nos. 20, 16, 15, 14, 13, 8, 9), Jalan
Bukit Merah, southern and eastern
perimeter fence of Bukit Merah Secondary
School, Lengkok Bahru and Jalan Tiong.
TP31 The area bounded by Jalan Bukit Merah,
RedHill Close, Jalan Bukit Merah,
Henderson Road, railway line, imaginary
boundary as described in TP27 (common
boundary of TP31 and TP27) and Bukit
Merah Central.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 127
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP01 The area bounded by Eng Neo Avenue,
Pan- Island Expressway, the production of
HillCrest Road, HillCrest Road, Watten
Rise, Watten Estate Road and canal
(between Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah
Road).
TP02 The area bounded by Pan-Island Expressway,
Adam Road, canal (between Dunearn
Road and Bukit Timah Road), Watten
Estate Road, Watten Rise, HillCrest Road
and its production.
TP03 The area bounded by Pan-Island Expressway,
Whitley Road, perimeter fence of
Catholic Junior College, Malcolm Road,
Mount Rosie Road, Chancery Lane, canal
(between Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah
Road) and Adam Road.
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR —continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP11 The area bounded by Hampshire Road,
Race Course Road, Owen Road, Serangoon
Road, canal (along Bukit Timah and
Kampong Java Road).
TP12 The area bounded by Bukit Timah Road,
canal (along Kampong Java Road and Bukit
Timah Road), Selegie Road, Prinsep Street,
Orchard Road and Scotts Road.
TP13 The area bounded by Orchard Road,
Stamford Road, Hill Street, Singapore
River, Kim Seng Road, Irwell Bank Road,
Grange Road and Paterson Road.
TP14 The area bounded by canal (between Bukit
Timah Road and Dunearn Road), Scotts
Road, Orchard Road, Tanglin Road, Napier
Road, Cluny Road, Dalvey Road, Stevens
Road, Robin Road and Bukit Timah Road.
TP15 The area bounded by canal (between Bukit
Timah Road and Dunearn Road), Bukit
Timah Road, Robin Road, Stevens Road,
Dalvey Road, Cluny Road, Holland Road
and Farrer Road.
TP16 The area bounded by Holland Road, Napier
Road, Tanglin Road, Orchard Road,
Paterson Road, Grange Road, Irwell Bank
Road, Kim Seng Road, canal, Delta Road,
Jervois Road, Kay Siang Road, along
northern and western perimeter fence of
former National Institute of Education,
Margaret Drive and Queensway.
TP17 The area bounded by Dawson Road,
western and northern perimeter fence of
former National Institute of Education, Kay
Siang Road, Jervois Road, Delta Road and
Alexandra Road.
124 REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP18 The area bounded by Margaret Drive,
Dawson Road, Alexandra Road, Commonwealth
Avenue, Strathmore Avenue,
Dundee Road, along the northern fringe of
Church of the Good Shepherd and eastern
perimeter fence of Queenstown Primary
School.
TP19 The area bounded by Margaret Drive,
eastern perimeter fence of Queenstown
Primary School, along the northern fringe
of Church of Good Shepherd, Dundee
Road, Strathmore Avenue, Commonwealth
Avenue, Alexandra Road, Queensway,
imaginary boundary between Block Nos.
168A, 171A, 171, Tiong Ghee Temple and
The Anchorage (common boundary of
TP19 and TP25), Stirling Road, another
imaginary boundary between Block Nos.
184, 183 and Block No. 58 (common
boundary between TP19 and TP23),
Commonwealth Avenue and Queensway.
TP20 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Avenue, Queensway, Commonwealth Drive,
Tanglin Halt Road, imaginary boundary
between Block Nos. 51, 50 and Block Nos.
47, 48, 49 (common boundary of TP20 and
TP21) and Commonwealth Drive.
TP21 The area bounded by Tanglin Halt Road,
Commonwealth Drive and imaginary
boundary as described in TP20 (common
boundary of TP21 and TP20).
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 125
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP22 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Drive, Queensway, imaginary boundary
running westward from Block No. 22
towards railway line (common boundary of
TP22 and TP23), railway line, another
imaginary boundary from railway line along
Block Nos. 79, 80 up to Commonwealth
Drive (common boundary of TP22 and
WEST COAST).
TP23 The area bounded by Commonwealth
Avenue, imaginary boundary as described in
TP19 (common boundary of TP23 and
TP19), Stirling Road, Mei Chin Road, Mei
Ling Street, Mei Chin Road, Queensway,
Alexandra Road, railway line, another
imaginary boundary as described in TP22
(common boundary of TP23 and TP22) and
Queensway.
TP24 The area bounded by Mei Chin Road,
Stirling Road, Mei Chin Road and Mei Ling
Street.
TP25 The area bounded by Stirling Road,
imaginary boundary as described in TP19
(common boundary of TP25 and TP19),
Queensway and Mei Chin Road.
TP26 The area bounded by Alexandra Road,
Tiong Bahru Road, Leng Kee Road, Hoy
Fatt Road, Jalan Rumah Tinggi and
imaginary boundary between Block Nos. 36,
10, 7, 12, IKEA Building and Block No. 35,
ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre,
Block No. 3, former SAFRA Bukit Merah
(common boundary of TP26 and TP27).
126 REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
ELECTORAL DIVISION OF TANJONG PAGAR—continued
Name and
Distinguishing
Letters of
Electoral Division
POLLING DISTRICT
Distinguishing
Letters and
Numbers
Boundaries
TANJONG
PAGAR
TP
TP27 The area bounded by Alexandra Road,
imaginary boundary as described in TP26
(common boundary of TP27 and TP26),
Jalan Rumah Tinggi, Hoy Fatt Road, Jalan
Bukit Merah, Bukit Merah Central, another
imaginary boundary between Spring
Singapore, Block No. 1002 and Block No.
1003 (common boundary of TP27 and TP31)
and railway line.
TP28 The area bounded by Hoy Fatt Road,
imaginary boundary between Block Nos. 51,
55 and Block Nos. 52, 56 (common
boundary of TP28 and TP29), Lengkok
Bahru, northern and eastern perimeter
fence of Bukit Merah Secondary School and
Jalan Bukit Merah.
TP29 The area bounded by Leng Kee Road,
Tiong Bahru Road, Jalan Tiong, Lengkok
Bahru, imaginary boundary as described in
TP28 (common boundary of TP29 and
TP28) and Hoy Fatt Road.
TP30 The area bounded by Tiong Bahru Road,
Redhill Close, the part of Redhill Close
(between Block Nos. 70A, 70, 12, 11, 10 and
Block Nos. 20, 16, 15, 14, 13, 8, 9), Jalan
Bukit Merah, southern and eastern
perimeter fence of Bukit Merah Secondary
School, Lengkok Bahru and Jalan Tiong.
TP31 The area bounded by Jalan Bukit Merah,
RedHill Close, Jalan Bukit Merah,
Henderson Road, railway line, imaginary
boundary as described in TP27 (common
boundary of TP31 and TP27) and Bukit
Merah Central.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 127
Leegime's aiming for landslide victory!!
yep!! all the opp pugilists would be squashed like cockroaches. master chiam might lose his rule and maybe his life too. wp clan master low might have a slim win. master chee and his sdp clans could be wiped out by then. sadly, it could be fully obliterated
emperor lau beh see and his son, pinky are shrewd strategists. when times are bad, scare the peasants further. the weapon that is use now is FEAR.
the economic crisis looming over peesailand is no different from the whole world. yet peesailand appears to fare better and taking the depression in good stride.
there is no better time to apply FEAR FACTOR to peasants and gain the majority of their supports. this would be a rare chance for the LEEgime to rule for another 5 years. oh yes! they are generous now giving double the size of the ang pows to every peasants. once they are steady voted back into their dominions, they would retrieve everything - plus interests, disembursed to peasants.
how would the peasants vote? as usual, absent minded peasants would forget the burdens bestowed by the LEEgime quite immediately after every 5 yr pugilistic duel. many would simply be mesmerised by the immediate ang pows handouts in MARCH. in another word, this could be a "votes buying" strategy.
as it would be a FLASH GE, all the opp clans would be caught off guard and karang kabok or in confusion and blur at what to do to prepare for ultimate pugilistic duel which was supposed to be held once every 5 yrs. the next official duel should be like 2011...and who knows it could be MAR' 2009!!
if opp clans have been doing regular good groundworks with firm and trusting rapport from peasants, they should have no problems to garner support...but have they? circus of clowns from sdppies with their bigger clown master chee are always busy with nonensical public antic. now beside getting their main figures master chee and chin chin, his half a siao cha-bo bankrupted, the entire clan now might be obliterated.
it looks like too late now. if the FLASH GE is instilled now, definitely landslide victory awaits the LEEgime.
.....so how now??
secret message just delivered by a pigeon carrier dove from saikongseng's precinct. it reads:
"HONEST, SINCERE AND DILIGENT PUGILISTS WANTED. JOIN OUR NSP CLAN FOR PREPARATION OF GRAND PUGILISTIC BATTLE"
if any top-gun pugilists reading this story now, please send ur application by ur carrier pigeons. make a stand now! fight the LEEgime!! set the peasants free!!
ACT NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!
emperor lau beh see and his son, pinky are shrewd strategists. when times are bad, scare the peasants further. the weapon that is use now is FEAR.
the economic crisis looming over peesailand is no different from the whole world. yet peesailand appears to fare better and taking the depression in good stride.
there is no better time to apply FEAR FACTOR to peasants and gain the majority of their supports. this would be a rare chance for the LEEgime to rule for another 5 years. oh yes! they are generous now giving double the size of the ang pows to every peasants. once they are steady voted back into their dominions, they would retrieve everything - plus interests, disembursed to peasants.
how would the peasants vote? as usual, absent minded peasants would forget the burdens bestowed by the LEEgime quite immediately after every 5 yr pugilistic duel. many would simply be mesmerised by the immediate ang pows handouts in MARCH. in another word, this could be a "votes buying" strategy.
as it would be a FLASH GE, all the opp clans would be caught off guard and karang kabok or in confusion and blur at what to do to prepare for ultimate pugilistic duel which was supposed to be held once every 5 yrs. the next official duel should be like 2011...and who knows it could be MAR' 2009!!
if opp clans have been doing regular good groundworks with firm and trusting rapport from peasants, they should have no problems to garner support...but have they? circus of clowns from sdppies with their bigger clown master chee are always busy with nonensical public antic. now beside getting their main figures master chee and chin chin, his half a siao cha-bo bankrupted, the entire clan now might be obliterated.
it looks like too late now. if the FLASH GE is instilled now, definitely landslide victory awaits the LEEgime.
.....so how now??
secret message just delivered by a pigeon carrier dove from saikongseng's precinct. it reads:
"HONEST, SINCERE AND DILIGENT PUGILISTS WANTED. JOIN OUR NSP CLAN FOR PREPARATION OF GRAND PUGILISTIC BATTLE"
if any top-gun pugilists reading this story now, please send ur application by ur carrier pigeons. make a stand now! fight the LEEgime!! set the peasants free!!
ACT NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!
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