P1: Case Study- /Complaints Choir

1. Firstly, the main speaker will present everyone’s role and our topic and what actually
happen to the complaint choir in reality and what we will be doing and message for the
audience.

2. Show video of the complaints choir the one that actually happen at the Old
Parliament House.

3. The Honor will introduce the topic in a hypothetical manner whereby the complaint choir
sang regardless of the foreigners in their choir in public, and what would the likely
scenario be to question if Singapore should allow freedom of speech.

4. Thus the Plaintiff (MICA) sue the Defense (Complaints Choir) under “Freedom of speech
and expression designed to protect the interest of Singapore”

5. The Plaintiff lawyer states their case and demand public apology by the Complaints
Choir.

6. Defense lawyer states that it was unreasonable as they were informed of that they
unable to sing just a day before the actual performance and there wasn’t enough time for
them to react, they do not want the audience to be disappointed.

COURT

JUDGE
All of you audience are hereby present today for
the court hearing of the Complaints Choir versus
MICA (Ministry of Information, Communications and
the Arts),for the legal battle to justify the case:
“Singapore should have freedom of Speech or is
the Government enforcing law so strict that it
controls speech and singing

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
We allow the Complaints Choir to sing but not with
foreigners as they do not have their roots here in
Singapore and they are in no position to criticize
Singapore. Yet despite the restrictions against
foreigners to sing in Public they decided to go
ahead and do so. Therefore, we decided to take
legal actions against the complaints choir and seek
a public apology from them for causing distraught
and public disorder.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Your Honor, the complaints choir was started
by the Finnish duo namely Tellervo & Oliver
Kalleinen and has been introduced in other cities
such as in England - Birmingham, Helsinki, among
 many others. The Complaints Choir members
compose their own song on what they are
displeased about and it can vary from small daily
irritations into big global issues. Anything that
annoys people, daily rousing would not hurt people
by voicing out their views. It was only an artistic
performance like singing a song. Singapore was set
to be the first in Asia but sadly and ironically, the
Singapore government put an end to it themselves.
(continue)
Your honor, may I call upon the defendant, the
representative of the complaint choir to take a
stand?

JUDGE
The defendant may now step forward.

COMPLAINT CHOIR
I, Felicia Tan, now swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

(Representative of the Complaint choir is being cross-examined now.)

DEFENSE LAWYER
Do you think the complaints choir meant to offend
anyone by singing? What do you hope to achieve
by singing?

COMPLAINTS CHOIR
We hope to address some daily issues that raise
public awareness and people would gradually
change their attitude for the better. We did not
mean to offend anybody.
(Cry, sobbing)
But we are now being sued although we did not do
anything morally wrong to deserve this!

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
That is because the conductor is Malaysian, and
Media Authority Development (MDA) issued a
license agreement stating clearly that no foreigners
are allowed to sing. Moreover, license application
should be made six weeks in advance before the
actual event. Despite the late application, MDA still
accepted the application and processed it.

JUDGE
Plaintiff, please allow the Defendant to finish.

DEFENDANT LAWYER
 What do you think is the reason you are being
sued today?

COMPLAINTS CHOIR
(emotional)
I think the reason is because the conductor is a
Malaysian and six other foreigners participated in
the singing among the 50 members but the main
thing is we decided to go ahead as we can’t get our
conductor replaced at the very last minute and a
choir cannot exist without a conductor! And we
thought that Singapore is set to become more
liberal when MM Lee Kuan Yew talks about the
reinvention of Singapore as a Renaissance City, it
seems like there is a long way to go.

DEFENSE LAYWER
The performance was organized by The
Necessary Stage and how could it go against
Singapore Politics when in fact, the lyrics are
all done by the Singaporean members of
the choir.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
I think the Defense lawyer got it all wrong,
we are not only talking about the lyrics here,
it is fine for them to sing if there are no
foreigners singing we have no intentions of
robbing them the chance to sing we merely
indicating that no foreigners should sing about
the political situation of Singapore as they
do not truly understand what they
are singing about nor can they comprehend
the culture of Singapore.

DEFENSE LAWYER
However, removing the foreigners from the
performances does not change the song at all.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Let’s take for example, we compare between an
adopted child and biological child, we can never
change the biological fact that the adopted child
does not share the blood, but that doesn’t mean
that mother will not save the adopted child, in times
of danger. Similarly, Singapore is like the mother
who cares for the adopted child liken to the
foreigners however, special leverage is given to the
Singaporeans who are born in Singapore. It is
because we must give them their well-deserved
right, like a mother’s claim on
 their biological child.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
(to the representative of the complaint choir)
Ms. Tan, you mentioned that you did not mean to
offend anyone. Your Honor, may I read out the
lyrics of the complaints choir,
(Reciting the lyrics)
What’s wrong with Singapore?
Losing always make me feel so sore.
Cause if you’re not the best
Then you’re just one of the rest.
My oh my Singapore
What exactly are we voting for?
What’s not expressly permitted is prohibited
(continue)
I have reasons to believe that the lyrics could hurt
the Singaporeans. So how could you say that it was
not meant to hurt?

COMPLAINT CHOIR
We were just merely expressing our views in a
creative and artistic manner, since it was meant for
the M1 Festival which is an arts and entertainment
event

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Your Honor, I have no more question,

(Defense lawyer sets the tone sympathetically.)

Defense lawyer
Can you tell me how you feel when you found out
only a day before the performance that the choir is
not allowed to sing in public?

Complaint choir
We were all disappointed, and angry and “our
prejudices against Singapore have been affirmed.
We see the systems of a neurotic society. We find it
irritating that foreigners-people that built this city,
nurse Singapore kids and bring in their knowledge
are not allowed to complain. In the case of the
Complaints Choir the situation is particularly silly,
because removing the foreigners from the
performances does not change the song at all.
– (Tellervo + Oliver Kalleinen)

DEFENSE LAWYER
But the choir from my knowledge, was given a license.
 COMPLAINTS CHOIR
(emotional)
While we were given a license, this is a conditional
one – no foreigners. Naturally, this comes as a total
shock to us, but we have discussed this amongst
ourselves with the artist and choir. It is clear that we
do not want the choir to be spilt up in any way. And
they were told by the government
(angry)
that they could not go ahead as foreigners should
not get involved in domestic politics and only
Singapore Citizens are allowed to participate in the
public performances.

DEFENSE LAWYER
After much publicity and hype, it only seems logical
to go ahead with the original plan.

The Defense Lawyer ask to show the M1 publicity video. And video starts playing.
*(Judge play video)

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Your Honor, may I present my client, Jewell Peh from MICA

JUDGE
Ms. Jewell Peh you may take the stand now.

PLAINTIFF
I, Jewell Peh, swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,
nothing but the truth.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Ms. Peh can you tell us why MICA decided to prevent
the foreigners from singing in the Complaints Choir?

PLAINTIFF
We have stated clearly that no foreigners are
allowed to sing and they have breached the
agreement thus it is only right that they apologise.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Your honor, Singapore politics are reserved for
Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners
should not abuse their privilege by interfering with
our domestic politics and foreigners who abused
these privileges are not welcome here.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Objection, your Honor, I beg to differ, how liberal
can Singapore be when you find it hard to swallow
a few light-hearted complaints from foreigners living
in your country.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Your Honor, may I call upon N Ravindran MA,
Head, Research & Publication, SIM management
House Business development lecturer on his views
on banning foreigners’ performance

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
What do you think of freedom in Singapore?

RAVI
There is a lot of freedom in Singapore, At the same
time, we can say that it is quite rigid.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Do you think people would want to speak up if they
have a chance?

RAVI
I fear they do not want to stand for public office.
They are not interested in the whole. They are
more self-concerned, more selfish in a way.
Looking after their immediate concerns rather than
the concern of the society at large.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
What do you think Singaporeans can do besides
singing their grievances or complains in the
Complaints Choir?

RAVI
With technology today. Most younger Singaporeans
are very tech savvy. Have no qualms about
speaking up, putting up blogs. Exchanging ideas on
forum and so on.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Do you think Singaporeans complain?

RAVI
I think Singaporeans tend to complain quite a bit
but it's part of their culture. So I don't think they
complain too much. More often, they complain
about the nitty gritty kind of stuffs rather than the
real issues that matter.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Mr. Ravi, do you think Singaporeans are living in a
controlled environment?
 RAVI
I don’t consider Singapore a controlled
environment. We do have a lot of freedom. You are
free to travel round the country.You are free to start
businesses.
You can even start adult business online. And
nobody will stop you.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Don’t you think foreigners should be allowed to sing?

RAVI
I think foreigners in Singapore are perhaps the
mollycoddle lot. Because here we are welcoming
them with open arms Yet if they have things to
complain, I don't understand it! They don't have any
roots here
There is nothing for them to say or do, they have no
best of interest. So they shouldn't be complaining.
They are here to do their job, further their
careers.They should have no reason to complain.
But if they do have issues, they should be able to
voice out in the forums.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Ravi, can you tell me what you think of the
speaker’s corner idea?

RAVI
The speaker's corner is a very interesting concept.
First modelled up by the high court in London.
Where you can go and air your complains, your
views, your grievances. But Singapore being
Singapore, we need to register with various police
posts. Of late, any arrest that have come out of that
is due to people who have not registered for
making those speeches. But bad manners is bad
banners, If you happen to have people who does
something wrong in front of you, I'm quite certain
that people will actually stand up!

DEFENSE LAWYER
Your Honor, I have no further questions. and may I
present to you my witness SH Almenar

Defense lawyer bring in Lawyer as witness – S H Almenar senior partner advocates &
Solicitors Commissioners for Oaths Notaries Public

DEFENSE LAWYER
 Do you think there is a need for people for people
to complain?

SH ALMENAR
I think that financially, there are a number of
policies in place which is hurting a great number of
Singaporeans.
which is completely unnecessary! What is the use
of increasing GST? Now we know the cost of living
is tremendous. The government is kind enough.
$300 There, $500 Here. But all this is unnecessary
in the first place MM also said that giving these
people this wouldn't be long term. You can give this
year, next year then what happens?

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Based on what you say, do you agree with people
complaining?

SH ALMENAR
it's not like London High Park. Not active at all!
Probably the society is like that. Probably there's a
Policeman seating around or standing around
there. I think it was introduced, this corner as a way
out for people to feel that I think that people will
complain everywhere, they will scared to talk you
can't becomes unlawful assembly people as way i
think So Goh Chok Tong feels that speakers' corner
ok ok, you all can talk out to feel that you all can
talk. You can stand there and talk anything you
want to talk so long as it is not sedition.

DEFENSE LAWYER
In article 14(1)(a) of Singapore’s constitution
guarantees to every citizen the right to freedom of
speech and expression. Rights are, however, never
absolute and must often be balanced against
community interests which ought to sometimes to
prevail over those rights.
(Continue)
In Singapore, the right to freedom of speech is
often at odds with the community interest in
maintaining racial and religious harmony. Because
they are worried that offensive speech could
engender social rifts or civil unrest is ever-present.
One of the ways in which Singapore has attempted
to deal with this threat is by criminalizing certain
types of speech which includes restrictions on free
speech or crippling Singaporeans’ rights to be
creative and foreigners’ contribution and giving
them a sense of belonging.
 PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Can everyone imagine Singapore as a place for
people to complain? Is it effective, if everyone is
allowed to complain? What can come out from
being a complaint king? Will it make us complaint
and do no actions? Will Singapore still be a
peaceful country if everyday people stir up different
complains? Rights to be creative and expression, to
what extend?

DEFENSE LAWYER
Even our Singapore pledge also mention that we are
supposed to be a democratic society, may I recite
part of the pledge.
(Reciting the Pledge)
“regardless of race, language or religion, to build
a democratic society based on justice and
equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity
and progress for our nation.” To fulfill MM Lee
Kuan Yew’s reinvention of Singapore as a
Renaissance City, we need to implement new
ideas however, if Singapore continue to prevent
freedom of speech and become short -circuit
when foreigners starts criticizing us. Will your
Honor please show understanding towards my
client as they did not commit any grave offense or
utter such misgivings that they have to publish a
public apology, how will other nations see us if we
continue to exercise strict control on speech. In
addition, we should see Complaints Choir as a
great movement for Singapore in progressing
forward as a liberal country instead of a threat.

PLAINTIFF LAWYER
Objection, your Honor, there is a need to prevent
them from complaining as they are interfering
with singapore’s order and unique culture.
Singapore has pride itself as being a country that
preserve Asian values, and in order to do so we
need strict law that are necessary to maintain law
and order- a pillar of the country’s economic
prosperity. Therefore, the Complaints Choir has to
compensate for what they have done by offering
a considerate apology.

DEFENSE LAWYER
In my closing statement, as Ulrike Rebele
mentioned in Freedom of expression and Asian
Values in Singapore argue that the concept of
“Asian Values” in Singapore has helped to
 legitimize limitations on free speech by
individuals. But research shows that the lack of
freedom of expression is not inherently due to
any cultural traditions such as Asian values in
Singapore but something enshrined in law.

JUDGE

All the audience here, as members of the jury, cast

your vote and raise your hands if you feel that

1) Singapore should have freedom of expression

2) Or those who feel that Singapore should

exercise restriction on speech

3) And the rest of you who feel neutral and no

comments

Based on Answers 1, 2 ,3 we have different

outcomes and conclusions.

Conclusion 1: If more people raise their hands for 1, the Judge would give the following
verdict

JUDGE

Although the Complaints Choir had disregarded

the agreement, however based on the facts given
the lyrics would not have changed and let’s take it
all in a good sense of humor and we should
implement new policies for improvement instead
of holding reins and becoming too cautious which
would hinder our goal to become a renaissance
city.

We should not create an environment

whereby Singaporeans are afraid to speak up
and think that they are living in a “climate of
fear” and using the courts to demand an
apology would oppose speech in the future.
Thus I declare that the Complaints Choir are
not guilty and they do not have to apologise for
speaking their minds and singing about it. We
just have to take it in good humor and progress
together as a less serious and more relax
 nation eliminating strict laws that prevent
people to speak out in goodwill.

Conclusion 2: If for example, more hands were raised for 2, the following verdict would
be:

JUDGE

Singapore has often been criticized by human

rights and media groups for maintaining strict
political controls despite its rapid modernization.
However, there is a need for Singapore to control
speech as Singapore is indeed a small country

Moreover the complaints choir knew about the

restrictions issued by MDA and that the government
is against the idea of foreigners singing in the
public complaining about our domestic issues even
though the lyrics were not objectionable. They
disregard the restrictions and decided to go ahead
with the performance. So I declare that the
complaints choir should make a public apology to
the MDA for causing distraught and public disorder.

Conclusion 3: if no one raises their hand, the verdict would be:

JUDGE

Everyone is subjected to their own views, I do

not see why we are preserving old way of
thinking, people should voice out your own
views, including the members of the jury. We
should not be tied down by old traditions, if we
do, our society would not have developed so
far. In olden beliefs, women were taught to stay
at home and look after the children however,
the war broke and women learnt to work and
earn their pennies have now proven to be
assets to the society. Therefore I do now
pronounce the Complaints Choir not guilty of
expressing themselves nor have they cross the

JUDGE
Court dismiss.

We hope we have given a clear picture of what freedom of speech is like in Singapore based on
our understanding. So now is the QnA session.