Seminar III (In Law We Trust)

Week 6

Had fever today but it was just this one lesson so I just went for it. I wasn't thinking very well then. But anyway, here's my reflection =D

Wong Souk Yee
Founder of third stage. She was arrested in 1987 because she was accused of being one of the Marxist conspiracy and the fact that she deny it. she was then 28 and was etained for 15 months. Former member of the Students Union, she had written and produced theatrical plays for The Third Stage group, of which she was the president. Her play 'In Law We Trust' is still not yet approved.


Hierarchical system
- Displays of power
- Distinction between levels
- Fear of superiority
- Disregard for lower classes
- How ranking is dominant in the play.


Marxism: Different levels of power. There is this class struggle where the oppressed will overthrow the government.


This play has this political theme about it and the hierarchical system of the political situation in this country is very obvious. There is this notion of not wanting to lose power and therefore resorting to lies and threats so that they remain at the top of the system. There are many dark secrets in the political world that exist in many countries, and we all knew that. Some comply to it, some oppose it.

The deputy director threatened and used alot of unreasonable theories against Allende, the lawyer who is captured. In Act 1 scene 6, pg 21, the deputy director says that the government has provided Allende good education and comfortable lifetyle. This happens to the government party during election where they keep emphasizing good education and lifestyle provided by the government in order to remind Singaporeans the good old historical days.

In order to keep their powers, they also resort to lies where they blame it on Allende for the escape of Farjando, because they dont want to lose face. They manipulated the truth where facts are tweaked.

It is true that in Singapore, the media has a big role to play in submitting to the ruling party. I find that less credit were given to the opposition party and even if they do, they report bad news to put opposition parties in a difficult situation.

But in Singapore, many people care about the money that they earned so they would rather support the ruling party because they promise good money. But then, are we willing to sacrifice principles just for the sake of money? Is money so important that you forgo your ideologies and uprightness? That's one point to think about.

There is this theme of oppression as well, where Allende was not given the right to be free. Even after the lib socialist won, she was still in prison. Is there a culture of indifference of Singaporeans towards politics? I think not really because many children, even primary school students are aware of the political situation in Singapore. They read newspapers, get information from the media and parents. Their parents views affect their thinking alot as well. But like I said, the government always use good commodities to remind us whenever we complain.

Why ISA should be abolished?
- We had enough rules in Singapore.
- Using this to get away with blames and faults.
- Deny human rights or freedom to provide evidence. Cannot argue against their detained period.
- Regards it as draconian law that curbs civil liberties.

Overall, I feel that times has changed over the past 40-50 years since the ruling party rule Singapore. The people are definitely more willing to oppose the government and make a difference in the politics and welfare of Singaporeans. The government would need to have new strategies to deal with the people in Singapore. It is no longer controlling us like before.