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He should have used the causeway. Toon the assasin, killed his partner in cold blood in front of family members in Serangoon and still managed to evade singapore authorities by crossing through the causeway. Eventually he was caught by the unappreciated and much criticised malaysian police force together with his girlfriend and a few more gang members to the applause of the Singapore public.

While I admire the PAP for being a good and efficient govt to Singaporeans, I however, cannot stomach their relentless pursuit in destroying their opposition through defamation/libel lawsuits, ones which would be laughed out of courts in Australia/Britain/etc.

I also can't agree with how they continue to control information about the opposition's activities in their local medias.

I fail to understand why the PAP is so paranoid about losing to the opposition. Here you have a party filled to the brim with Oxbridge/Ivy League/scholarship candidates and MPs, most of them proving incorruptible, and they are shrewd economic stewards to boot. So why so intent on crushing the opposition? Live and let live lah. Even with less restrictions on the Opposition, since S'poreans already have a choice between the brilliant people in the PAP, if they were to vote in an Opposition member, all S'poreans can rest assured that that Opposition member would be of the same calibre, if not better, than the ones in PAP. So what's the worry?

Me thinks that the only major weakness that they have is precisely of their own doing: Their overzealous intent on silencing their opposition. If they would just let the opposition air their views and go about doing their political business in peace, then the PAP would be close to being the 'perfect' political party.

Lastly, like what someone else has already mentioned, the Opposition are as patriotic, if sometimes not more so, than any PAP member. So they shouldn't be viewed as a threat, both by PAP and the S'porean citizens. The same also goes for Malaysians in general

The guy with a face like Baby Face Finlayson can also be intimidating ah? Unless of course he was scratching his balls or something in front of an Election lady officer or something!

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/207258/1/.html

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 08 May 2006 2000 hrs

Police say no arrest so far over Elections Department's complaint
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia

Police say they have not arrested or detained anyone as a result of their investigations, following a complaint from the Elections Department against Worker Party member Mr James Gomez for alleged offences of criminal intimidation and providing false information.

However they say several people have been interviewed, including Elections Department officials, Workers' Party Chairman Sylvia Lim and Mr Gomez himself.

Mr Gomez, who was part of the WP team contesting the Aljunied ward, claimed to have submitted an application for a minority candidate certificate at the Elections Department, but security camera footage showed otherwise.

During the hustings, he was accused by PAP leaders of trying to discredit the Elections Department by claiming its staff had misplaced his form.

But what exactly constitutes criminal intimidation?

Some lawyers Channel NewsAsia spoke to explain that criminal intimidation usually occurs during quarrels and fights.

Choo Si Sen, Consultant, Straits Law Advocates and Solicitors, said: "Section 503 Penal Code defines if a person threatens another person with injury to his property, body or reputation and that person is alarmed, then that is criminal intimidation. There are 2 categories of criminal intimidation under the law under Section 506.

"In a simple case of criminal intimidation, the punishment is maximum two years imprisonment or fine or both. In aggravated criminal intimidation, threatening to cause destruction of property by fire, death, grievous hurt and so on, the sentence could be up to seven years imprisonment." - CNA/ch

This story was printed from TODAYonline

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/117352print.asp

Gomez investigation continues

Tuesday • May 9, 2006

Jasmine Yin
jasmine.yin@newstoday.com.sg

THE police have confirmed that they are investigating Mr James Gomez (picture) from the Workers' Party (WP) for alleged offences of criminal intimidation and providing false information to the Elections Department.

Several persons, including Elections Department officials, Mr Gomez and WP chairman Sylvia Lim, have been interviewed, but "no arrest has been made and no persons detained in police custody", said the police in a media statement released yesterday.

"The police are in the process of reviewing the evidence and interviewing all relevant persons."

This probe follows a complaint lodged by the Elections Department against Mr Gomez on Polling Day last Saturday.

The 40-year-old researcher became embroiled in controversy during the nine days of hustings when the Elections Department disputed — using evidence such as security video footage and a transcript of a telephone conversation he had with a department official — his claim about having submitted his minority candidate certificate to the department.

Late on Sunday afternoon, Mr Gomez was stopped at the airport where he was planning to catch a flight to Sweden to resume work at Idea International — a job he had taken up just a few weeks ago. He was asked to assist in investigations pertaining to this complaint and acceded to that request.

Emerging from the Police Cantonment Complex just past midnight after some six hours of questioning, he told the waiting media that his passport had been seized and impounded indefinitely.

Mr Gomez was part of a WP team led by Ms Lim that challenged the People's Action Party (PAP) in Aljunied GRC.

The contest ended with the PAP team, which is fronted by Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, winning 56.1 per cent of the votes.

Mr Gomez told Today he had not been called for further police questioning, but that he is "willing to cooperate with the investigations in any way possible".

When asked if he had been in contact with WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang and Ms Lim after he was released from questioning, Mr Gomez would only say: "I've been in touch with my party colleagues."

He said that the police had not reverted to him on his request for a letter that he could use to explain the situation to his employers at Stockholm-based think-tank Idea International, who are expecting him to report for work this week.

"I'll just wait, but I have informed them of the situation," he said.

While investigations are now underway, an online petition has been set up to protest against the probe on Mr Gomez.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/207405/1/.html

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 09 May 2006 1717 hrs

James Gomez questioned by police for second time
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

Mr James Gomez, the Workers' Party member at the centre of a controversy regarding the non-submission of an application for minority certificate, was questioned by police for a second time on Tuesday.

The investigation is in regard to a complaint by the Elections Department on the alleged offences of criminal intimidation and providing false information.

Mr Gomez claimed to have submitted an application for the certificate at the Elections Department but security camera footage showed otherwise.

Several People's Action Party leaders later accused him of trying to discredit the Elections Department by claiming that its staff had misplaced the form.

On Tuesday, Mr Gomez was questioned for about 5 hours after entering the Police Cantonment Complex at about 9.20am.

The first time Mr Gomez was called in was on Sunday afternoon when he was stopped at Changi Airport and prevented from leaving for Sweden.

His passport was impounded.

Police then asked him to follow them back to the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning.

Mr Gomez told Channel NewsAsia that the questions on Tuesday were a follow-up to that first session.

And this time, he also expressed his concerns about financial and work obligations to police investigators.

His air ticket was not refundable and he faces a loss of income.

Mr Gomez was due to start work in Sweden on Tuesday.

The police have issued a letter stating that he is helping with investigations.

Mr Gomez said he would forward that letter to his employer.

Mr Gomez said: "With regards to specific questions on how long they will hold my passport or how long investigations will continue, the officer in charge said he is unable to answer those questions at this point in time but he did say he will do his best to get back to me. On my part, I remain committed to give the police the fullest cooperation I can possibly give to help bring this matter to a close." - CNA/ir

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 10 May 2006 1744 hrs

WP chief assures cooperation with police on Gomez investigations

By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Related News »
• Singapore's Workers' Party names chairman Sylvia Lim as next NCMP
• James Gomez questioned by police for second time
• Police say no arrest so far over Elections Department's complaint
more>>

SINGAPORE : Workers' Party (WP) Chief Low Thia Khiang says he has informed the Elections Department, by both fax and post, of the party's choice of Ms Sylvia Lim for the post of Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP).

The Returning Officer had written to the Workers' Party on May 7 to offer the NCMP role to its Aljunied GRC team and to reply by May 15.

Speaking to reporters after observing the counting of overseas votes back in Singapore, Mr Low says he is confident that on-going investigations on Mr James Gomez, following the complaint of criminal intimation by the Elections Department, will not affect Ms Lim's nomination to the NCMP post.

He also confirmed that he has been called by the police to record a statement.

Mr Gomez, who was part of the WP team contesting the Aljunied ward, claimed to have submitted an application for a minority candidate certificate at the Elections Department, but security camera footage showed otherwise.

During the hustings, he was accused by PAP leaders of trying to discredit the Elections Department by claiming its staff had misplaced his form.

Mr Gomez' passport and boarding pass were held back on Sunday afternoon when he was about to leave for Sweden.

Mr Gomez was told that he was being investigated for criminal intimidation, following a complaint by the Elections Department.

He was then taken to the Police Cantonment Complex for questioning.

Workers' Party Chairman Sylvia Lim arrived later that night to give her statement.

Mr Low was the latest from the party to be called to assist in the investigations.

"They basically wanted to know of some of the statements I made in public, on what basis I made those statements, how I justify my assessment of Mr James Gomez during the election and things like that. I suppose they want to find out whether I had, in any way, covered up for James Gomez," said WP chief Low Thia Khiang.

"I am prepared to cooperate. They have a duty since a police report has been made. I have a duty to cooperate and to let them know what they want to know. I have done that," he said.

Meantime, the man at the centre of the controversy has been called in for questioning by the police at the Criminal Investigation Department for the third time.

Channel NewsAsia understands that Mr Gomez has been at the Police Cantonment Complex since early Wednesday evening.

The first time he was called in was on Sunday afternoon when he was stopped at Changi Airport as he was leaving for Sweden.

- CNA /ls

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/117559print.asp

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Police quiz Gomez again

WP man was asked to give 'detailed responses', PAP MP Inderjit Singh interviewed

Wednesday • May 10, 2006

Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@newstoday.com.sg

THE Workers' Party's (WP) James Gomez was summoned by the police for the second time yesterday, as investigations into his alleged offences of criminal intimidation and providing false information to the Elections Department gathered pace.

The People's Action Party's (PAP) MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Inderjit Singh, was also interviewed by the police.

Yesterday, Mr Gomez arrived at the Police Cantonment Complex at about 9.30am and emerged from its premises some five hours later.

The researcher, 40, later told Today that he had received a call from the police late on Monday night for him to go down d to assist in investigations.

"They were essentially elaborations and clarifications to questions asked in the first round (on Sunday). They wanted more detailed responses," he said.

According to Mr Gomez, the police also requested a copy of his minority certificate application form, which he gave them along with the letter of authorisation and submission that would enable a candidate to authorise another person to collect and submit the form on his behalf.

Mr Gomez was stopped at the airport on Sunday while leaving for Sweden to resume work at Idea International. His passport was seized and he was questioned for eight hours. While he was willing to cooperate fully with the investigations, he took the opportunity to convey to the police his concerns about his financial and work obligations.

Due to start work in Sweden yesterday, Mr Gomez managed to obtain a letter from the police to explain his predicament to his employers. But he had other concerns, such as getting his passport back so that he could get back to work.

"While I am involved in this, I need to get on with other aspects of my life as well," he said.

He added: "My ticket transiting from Bangkok to Sweden was a non-refundable ticket. And I run the risk of not receiving income for the days that I'm not at work. I also have bills and rents to pay in Sweden because I have an apartment there."

Mr Gomez said that the police were unable to put a time frame on the investigations. Nonetheless, they told him they would look into his concerns.

When contacted, the police said that the second interview was part of "the process of reviewing the evidence and interviewing all relevant persons". It added that it had also interviewed Mr Singh, who declined to comment when contacted by Today.

The MP, who is embarking on his third term following the elections, had issued a public statement during the height of the controversy on a conversation he had with Mr Gomez on Nomination Day. According to Mr Singh, Mr Gomez had told him then that the whole episode was a "wayang" (show).

On Monday, WP chief Low Thia Khiang was interviewed by the police at his office for more than three hours, while the party's chairman Sylvia Lim also gave a statement on Sunday night.

Officials from the Elections Department, the complainant, have also been interviewed.

The controversy started when Mr Gomez claimed to have submitted his application form for a minority candidate certificate to the Elections Department.

The department disputed the claim and made public its evidence such as security video footage and a transcript of a telephone conversation Mr Gomez had with a department official.

The Elections Department lodged a complaint against Mr Gomez on Polling Day last Saturday, and police are investigating the case as alleged offences of criminal intimidation and giving false information.

Though he did not submit his form, Mr Gomez was reported to have warned Elections Department officials of "consequences" when told that they did not have his certificate.

Speaking to 938Live, lawyer Edmund Pereira explained what might constitute "criminal intimidation".

"Whenever a person threatens another with injury — either to his own person or to that person's reputation — or to his property, like for example, I'm going to burn your house down, and causes that other person to be put in alarm, or fear," he said.

Mr Gomez is part of the WP team led by Ms Lim that challenged the PAP in Aljunied GRC. The contest ended with the PAP team, fronted by Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, winning 56.1 per cent of the vote.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/free/story/0,6418,392691,00.html?

STI Home > Free News Headlines > Story

May 13, 2006
Gomez let off with a 'stern warning'

By Sue-Ann Chia

WORKERS' Party member James Gomez has been given a 'stern warning' for what police said yesterday was his use of threatening words towards a public servant.

A police statement said that after reviewing the evidence, the Public Prosecutor was satisfied that he committed the offence against a public servant who was carrying out his duties.

He could have been slapped with a fine not exceeding $5,000 or jailed for a period not exceeding a year.

'However, having considered all the circumstances of the case, Mr Gomez's willingness to cooperate with the police and the absence of any previous criminal record, the Public Prosecutor has decided that a stern warning be administered to Mr James Gomez for the offence,' the statement said.

Mr Gomez, part of the WP's team that contested and lost in Aljunied GRC, was told of the outcome yesterday when he was called to the Police Cantonment Complex in New Bridge Road.

His passport - taken last Sunday when he was stopped from leaving the country - was also returned.

Mr Gomez was at the centre of a controversy with the Elections Department over his non-submission of a minority candidate certificate.

He claimed to have submitted the form on April 24. He went to the department two days later and asked for the certificate. When told there was no record of him handing it in, he asked the officer to check again and warned of implications.

After being informed later that day that security camera footage showed he put the form into his bag - and following calls by People's Action Party leaders for him to come clean over the incident - Mr Gomez owned up and apologised on April 29.

But the department filed a complaint against him on May 6. A day later, he was stopped at the immigration counter as he was leaving the country at Changi Airport.

After the complaint, police began their probe into offences of criminal intimidation, giving false information and using threatening words and behaviour.

Mr Gomez was questioned three times. Also interviewed were department staff, WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang and chairman Sylvia Lim. Ang Mo Kio MP-elect Inderjit Singh and retiree Thiayagarajah Karthigesu, an assenter for PAP candidates contesting in Ang Mo Kio also spoke to investigators.

Mr Inderjit had said previously that on April 27 Mr Gomez told him that the minority certificate incident was just a 'wayang', or Malay for theatre - comments Mr Thiayagarajah also heard.

The police said statements Mr Gomez gave 'contained serious inconsistencies and discrepancies'. When taken with statements of others - including Mr Singh and Mr Thiayagarajah - it 'put into question the real truth'.

Mr Gomez said yesterday he was told of the outcome and about the stern warning he would receive.

'I was agreeable to that,' he said. He regarded the matter as closed and hopes 'to move on'.

He also said he had no plans to sue Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who called him dishonest, and a liar.

Mr Gomez also told his employers - the Stockholm-based think-tank, International IDEA. He plans to remain here over the weekend and will arrange to return to work in Sweden next week.

sueann@sph.com.sg

This story was printed from channelnewsasia.com

Title : WP's Gomez let off with stern warning in run-in with Elections Dept
By :
Date : 12 May 2006 1623 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/207972/1/.html

Workers' Party member James Gomez has been let off with a stern warning for threatening an Elections Department officer, ending a three-week-long saga.

Police said on Friday that after reviewing the evidence, the Public Prosecutor was satisfied that Mr Gomez had committed the offence of using threatening words towards a public servant.

The offence would have been punishable with a fine of up to $5,000, or a jail term of up to one year.

But the police decided it would let Mr Gomez go with a warning instead as he had been cooperative and had not committed any criminal offences before.

The saga started over Mr Gomez's application for a minority race certificate before the May 6 polls.

Mr Gomez, who contested in the General Election, had claimed that he had submitted the application at the Elections Department.

But when Elections Department security footage showed that he had instead put those application papers into his bag, Mr Gomez withdrew the claim with an apology.

During the hustings, Mr Gomez, then a candidate contesting in Aljunied GRC, was accused of discrediting the Elections Department.

The Elections Department filed a complaint against Mr Gomez on May 6.

He was then called in by the police for investigations into offences of criminal intimidation.

After three rounds of interviews, the police found Mr Gomez guilty of verbally threatening a public servant.

Mr Gomez had warned an Elections Department officer of "consequences" when the officer could not find his application for a minority certificate.

Under the law, Mr Gomez could have been fined or jailed for the offence. But he was given a stern warning instead.

"Having considered all the circumstance of the case, Mr Gomez's willingness to cooperate with the police and the absence of any previous criminal record, the public prosecutor has decided that a stern warning be administered to Mr James Gomez for the offence," a police statement said.

"The matter is now closed....My only signal is to move on, remain focused and get on with the party's work. Speak up for Singaporeans, look at policy issues, I think those have always been my concerns," Mr Gomez said.

These concerns, he added, include unemployment and the cost of living.

On being called a liar by PAP leaders, Mr Gomez said he would not pursue the matter further.

"I think this episode signals what it means to contest in an election....Things happen all over the quarters, you have to manage them, remain calm and you have to press on with the agenda. I think that's the lesson I take away from it," Mr Gomez said.

When Mr Gomez broke the news to his Workers' Party colleagues, Mr Low Thia Khiang and Ms Sylvia Lim, their immediate reaction was 'Let's move on."

That is exactly what Mr Gomez plans to do as well.

Despite getting back his passport, Mr Gomez has no plans to leave Singapore immediately.

He is planning to spend the long weekend with his family before returning to Sweden for work. - CNA/ir