US embassy cable - 05SINGAPORE2609

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 002609 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, SN 
SUBJECT: POLICE CONTINUE TO HARASS INDEPENDENT FILM MAKER 
 
REF: SINGAPORE 1178 
 
Classified By: EP Counselor Laurent Charbonnet, Reasons 1.4(b)(d) 
 
1. (SBU) The Singapore Police continue to harass independent 
film maker Martyn See, who made a 26 minute documentary on 
opposition politician Dr. Chee Soon Juan (Reftel).  Under 
government pressure, See was forced to withdraw his 
"Singapore Rebel" film from the Singapore International Film 
Festival in March.  The GOS had informed the festival 
organizers that "Singapore Rebel" was a "party political 
film" and in violation of the 1998 Film Act.  Although he has 
complied with the GOS demand, the police continue to question 
See about his film. 
 
2. (SBU) On May 16 and August 25, Police Assistant 
Superintendent Chan Peng Kuang interrogated See at the Police 
Cantonment Complex, according to See.  The latter round 
lasted about three hours and included questions unrelated to 
the making of the movie, such as his views on the media.  See 
was then ordered to surrender by August 29 his tapes of the 
film, courier invoices (from shipping copies of the film to 
the New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival and the Amnesty 
International USA Film Festival in May), as well as the video 
camera he used to shoot the film.  The items would only be 
returned after "completion of the case."  See turned them 
over to police on August 29. 
 
3. (C) See has not been charged with any offense and the 
police did not inform him of any possible charges after he 
asked.  He believes the on-going police investigation stems 
from his decision to send the film overseas to be exhibited 
in New Zealand and the United States.  He also told poloff 
that police questions about his political activities and 
contacts with Dr. Chee made it "seem like associating with 
Chee was a criminal offense." 
 
4. (C) Comment: If the GOS files criminal charges against 
See, we will need to speak out publicly against it.  For now, 
we will raise the issue privately with senior GOS officials. 
On August 29, the Ambassador discussed the See case with 
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts 
Permanent Secretary Tan Chin Nam, who professed ignorance of 
police motives.  The Ambassador will also raise it with 
Foreign Minister George Yeo in a previously scheduled meeting 
on August 31.  End Comment. 
 
5. (U) Martyn See runs his own internet blog, detailing his 
activities: 
 
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/ 
 
A trailer for the film can be viewed on the internet at: 
 
http://www.archive.org/details/SingaporeRebel Trailer 
 
The entire film can be viewed at: 
 
http://www.archive.org/details/godboxone 
LAVIN