Comments on: That He Shall Not Die a Second Death

By: Poh Soo Kai

Poh Soo Kai — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:40:21 +0000

1.Edgar Liao refering to K.C.Chew’s “discovery” wrote: Lee Kong Chian
paid the fees of D.N.Pritt, the Q. C……
2.He also wrote: “This was at the request of Poh Soo Kai, a nephew,
following a suggestion by the junior defence counsel–Lee Kuan Yew”
3.I am happy the issue of Pritt’s legal fee has been settled. It was a
gesture of solidarity with those who fight for freedom, democracy and
peace. It was a memory I cherish.
4.As for the second point, (2) above, I have confirmed I did not make
any request to my uncle, Lee Kong Chian; and none at the suggestion
of my junior counsel.
5.However, one should not fudge the issue of Pritt’s legal fees with
the Fajar Defence Fund, which as indicated, is small, and paid for
other expenditures.
6.It is not correct to say I was not involved in soliciting funds. I
was. Neither is it correct to assume I did not know of some of the
big items. More important to me were the small annonymous items,– an
indication of support. University staff donated. And researchers
may like to check the PRO files which record that the authorities
were surprised. The recorded exuse given was that as teachers they
were concerned for their students ! A measure of academic freedom.

By: Michael Fernandez

Michael Fernandez — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:55:49 +0000

I just had a chat with Dr. Lim Hock Siew, 02/04/2009 who was then the Chairman of the FAJAR DEFENCE FUND. He confirmed:

1. that Dr. Poh was not involved in getting funds from people. Dr. Tan Seng Huat, who knew Lee Kong Chian, and he went to see Lee Kong Chian, Dr. Lee Seng Gee’s father. He donated S$2000/ and Dr. Lim also got S$2000/ from Tan Cheng Lock, the father of Tan Siew Sin.;

2. Dr. Lim also confirmed that the Socialist Club did not pay any fee to DN Pritt, the Queen]s Counsel, who togather with LKY defended the 8-member editorial Board, but paid for all his expenses.

3. Dr. Poh is right to say that he did not seek funds from his uncle, Lee Kong Chian for the Fajar Trial

By: Edgar

Edgar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:53:17 +0000

According to D.N. Pritt’s account, the University of Malaya students he defended indeed did not pay him any fees. Only his fares and expenses were taken care of.

But he did also mention that when he returned to Singapore to defend Chinese school students charged for demonstrating against the conscription laws, “one of the rich Chinese businessmen in the city offered to help in providing fees for “any counsel they wished” for their defence against the charges of unlawful assembly…” (The Autobiography of D.N. Pritt, Part Three: The Defence Accuses, p. 150)

The identity of this rich Chinese businessman is unknown.

By: KC Chew

KC Chew — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:48:47 +0000

Appreciate the factual correction made by Dr Poh Soo Kai. Indeed, that was how I heard the story from Lee Seng Gee, eldest son of Lee Kong Chian and thought it was an interesting anecdote to share with the audience. Now I stand corrected.

By: Poh Soo Kai

Poh Soo Kai — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:48:02 +0000

1. K.C.Chew made a very interesting “revelation”. Unfortunately not
factual.
2. D.N.Pritt’s services were gratis, free. We did not pay a cent.
Bought him a small present. Paid for from the defence fund.
3. I did not make any request – at Lee Kuan Yew’s suggestion or
without his suggestion – to my uncle Lee Kong Chian to pay a
non-existent legal fee.