Message from the Outgoing Chair Dear members and friends, It seemed like only yesterday that I wrote this message as the incoming Chair of CALD. Now it’s time to pen my missive as the outgoing one. Time flies when you’re fighting despots. Much has developed in and around Asia in the interim, unfortunately, not all for the better. We continue to see the non-progress of democracy in the region. In fact the situations in Cambodia, with the continued persecution of Sam Rainsy; Malaysia, the ongoing trial of Anwar Inbrahim; and Singapore, the never-ending prosecutions and imprisonment of my colleagues and I, there is little to cheer about. Yet, as defenders of democracy, we persevere in our struggles and push on for that elusive goal of freedom and justice. In this regard CALD must now, more than ever, live up to its creed to support liberals and democrats across Asia in their quest for democracy not just in word but in deed. With the advent of the Internet and its fast-developing technologies, the ease in communication has increased manifold. It is thus even more important that members of CALD and our associates step up our efforts to strengthen that mutual support for each other. As we, the Singapore Democrats, commemorate our 30 years of existence as a party we pledge not to waver in our fight for democracy in our country and, in doing so, bring greater hope for freedom across the region. To this end, we look for continued support from our friends in CALD. I, perhaps, will go down in the record books as the only Chair of CALD never to have attended a CALD meeting in my brief tenure because of my political situation. But my pride of serving with all of you in this organisation of ours remains as strong, if not stronger, as the first day the SDP first joined it. It has been an honour serving as Chair. I wish all of you the very best and look forward to the day that I can see you in person again.
Chee Soon Juan
2