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.