Tang Fong Har
Encyclopedia
Tang Fong Har, a lawyer, was detained on 20 June 1987 by the government of Singapore
during Operation Spectrum
under the Internal Security Act
. Her detention was speculated by many as a mean to crush political dissident
s. In her letter, she states that she was physically abused
, kept incommunicado and forced to admit guilt of subversion of state
. Many deem her work in the Law Society of Singapore
which opposed amendments to the Newspapers and Printing Presses Act and the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill in 1986 as a reason for her detention. She was later released on 12 September 1987.
Tang accused SK Tan violently attacked her during interrogation. SK Tan is rumored to be a current senior executive of Singapore Press Holdings
.
Tang is wanted by the Singapore Police for having breached a condition under a special suspension direction when she failed to return to Singapore after she was granted permission to visit United Kingdom and Hong Kong between 7 March 1988 to 7 April 1988 .
On October 8, 2011, Tang with exiled political dissident Francis Seow
publicly addressed a Singapore Democratic Party
forum from abroad via teleconferencing. In the address they advocated abolishing the Internal Security Act
(ISA). Singapore Police were investigating the legality of the event the following day.
Tang Fong Har currently resides in Hong Kong
.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
during Operation Spectrum
Operation Spectrum
Operation Spectrum was launched on May 21, 1987 by Singapore's Internal Security Department using the Internal Security Act . 16 people were arrested for their involvement in what was described as a "Marxist conspiracy". On June 20, 1987, four of the original 16 were released and six more were...
under the Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Singapore)
The Internal Security Act of Singapore is a law that allows the Singapore government to investigate security threats like international terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred using race or religion...
. Her detention was speculated by many as a mean to crush political dissident
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
s. In her letter, she states that she was physically abused
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.-Forms of physical abuse:*Striking*Punching*Belting*Pushing, pulling*Slapping*Whipping*Striking with an object...
, kept incommunicado and forced to admit guilt of subversion of state
Sedition
In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent to lawful authority. Sedition may include any...
. Many deem her work in the Law Society of Singapore
Law Society of Singapore
The Law Society of Singapore is the organisation that represents all lawyers in Singapore. It publishes the Law Gazette and operates a scheme for needy people to benefit from legal services free-of-charge. The Society also sets out rules for how lawyers should advertise. The Law Society is...
which opposed amendments to the Newspapers and Printing Presses Act and the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill in 1986 as a reason for her detention. She was later released on 12 September 1987.
Tang accused SK Tan violently attacked her during interrogation. SK Tan is rumored to be a current senior executive of Singapore Press Holdings
Singapore Press Holdings
Singapore Press Holdings Limited is a media organisation in Singapore with businesses in print, Internet and new media, television and radio, outdoor media, and property. SPH has over 4,000 employees, including a team of approximately 1,000 journalists, including correspondents operating around...
.
Tang is wanted by the Singapore Police for having breached a condition under a special suspension direction when she failed to return to Singapore after she was granted permission to visit United Kingdom and Hong Kong between 7 March 1988 to 7 April 1988 .
On October 8, 2011, Tang with exiled political dissident Francis Seow
Francis Seow
Francis Seow is a Singapore-born political dissident who is in exile from Singapore after lawsuits by the former Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew. He was educated at Saint Joseph's Institution in Singapore and at the Middle Temple in London...
publicly addressed a Singapore Democratic Party
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
forum from abroad via teleconferencing. In the address they advocated abolishing the Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Singapore)
The Internal Security Act of Singapore is a law that allows the Singapore government to investigate security threats like international terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred using race or religion...
(ISA). Singapore Police were investigating the legality of the event the following day.
Tang Fong Har currently resides in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
See also
- Francis SeowFrancis SeowFrancis Seow is a Singapore-born political dissident who is in exile from Singapore after lawsuits by the former Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew. He was educated at Saint Joseph's Institution in Singapore and at the Middle Temple in London...
- Internal Security ActInternal Security Act (Singapore)The Internal Security Act of Singapore is a law that allows the Singapore government to investigate security threats like international terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred using race or religion...
- Operation SpectrumOperation SpectrumOperation Spectrum was launched on May 21, 1987 by Singapore's Internal Security Department using the Internal Security Act . 16 people were arrested for their involvement in what was described as a "Marxist conspiracy". On June 20, 1987, four of the original 16 were released and six more were...
External links
- SW: A detainee remembers
- Tang Fong Har - the person
- 'Spys' detained under security act
- Hall of Shame
- NUS alumni
- Court allegations against Teo Soh Lung citing Tang Fong Har as a co -conspirator
- HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH WORLD REPORT 1989 on Singapore
- Ninth signatory failed to return from UK
- Tang Fong Har's absence