The Bird Is Out of the Cage

 Weekly column written for the Singapore Unbound newsletter. Sign up here.

When two young women, while trying to talk to Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam about the misuse of POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) , were provoked to flip the bird to the cameras of his minders, the fast-and-furious criticisms of the sisters from politicians of the governing party, civil-society actors, and community leaders were telling about the rigid restrictions of political discourse in the country. As Jom puts it, "When we are quick to judge, to believe authority over activists, to pine for some imagined decorum in a dialogue biased by the disparity in power, we leave out much from our collective consciousness, our understanding of who we are."

The sisters have given their own version of the event, and I choose to believe them instead. If the full video were to be released, and not just the seven minutes that whistled to the salivating dogs, it would likely corroborate the women's statement. Singapore's political discourse needs shaking up, and these women, unintentionally and inadvertently, showed us how much needs to be shaken up. The bird is out of the cage, and there is no putting it back.

Sisters, You
 
“Filmed, encircled, and dismissed: Activists push back against Shanmugam’s
framing of MPS confrontation”—The Online Citizen, 14 March, 2025
 
Had an audience with the king
(Pardon me, I mean, the kinger),
Thinking he a public servant.
I salute your middle finger!
 
In good faith, you spoke about
Putting people through the wringer
Called POFMA. He scolded you and—
I salute your middle finger.
 
Kissers of the royal ass
Ringed you, everyone a ringer,
Filmed you although you said no.
I salute your middle finger.
 
Seven minutes out of an hour
Broadcast of your gunslinger.
You wrote back: The Parts He Left Out.
I salute your middle finger.
 
Faithful daughters of Hang Jebat!
Raja zalim raja disanggah*.
I, your humble singer, sing
And salute your middle fanggah!
 
 *"The tyrant king must be disputed with": supposedly the last words of Malay hero Hang Jebat when he was killed by his best friend and royalist Hang Tuah.

Jee Leong Koh
March 20, 2025

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