Lee criticizes campaigner Chee

Lee criticizes campaigner Chee

SINGAPORE (AP): Elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew has criticized an
opposition politician campaigning for free speech, accusing him
of trying to emulate Malaysia's jailed reform leader.

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan "thinks that
he's like Mr. Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia ... leading the crowds in
'reformasi.' Well, let him try," said Senior Minister Lee in a
telephone interview Tuesday with BBC radio.

A transcript of the interview was made available on Wednesday.
Chee, who has defied authorities twice recently by speaking
publicly about human rights in Singapore without a permit, has
been charged with violating the highly regulated country's Public
Entertainment Act. He faces a fine and a five-year ban from
running for public office.

His next speech, previously planned for Thursday on the campus
of Singapore's main university, was postponed for a week for
scheduling and logistic reasons, Chee said on Wednesday.