Function 8

19/08/2026

Part 6 of 6 (Final

Dr Poh Soo Kai speaks about his rearrest in 1976 on the grounds that he had medically treated an injured bomber.

In 1977 when G Raman was arrested he was forced to confess that together with Dr Poh Soo Kai, he drove up to Masai to treat the bomber. Later Raman recanted before a senior prosecutor. But Dr Poh remained in prison. Dr Poh was finally released in 1982.

Dr Poh Soo Kai is 94 today.

19/08/2026

Part 6 of 6. Final part.

Dr Poh Soo Kai was rearrested in 1976 on the allegation that he had medically treated an injured bomber.

In 1977 when G Raman was arrested under the ISA, he was tortured and forced to confess that he was with Dr Poh when Dr Poh drove to Masai to treat the alleged bomber. Raman later recanted his confession before a senior prosecutor. But Dr Poh remained in prison till 1982.

Dr Poh Soo Kai is 94 today.

19/08/2026

Operation Coldstore 2 February 1963 decimated the opposition and ensuref Lee Kuan Yew and his PAP win 1963 general election. This practice of getting rid of opposition and people who disagree with the PAP just before a general election continues to this day.

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

Part 5 of 6

In Part 5, Dr Poh Soo Kai talks about Operation Coldstore which saw the arrests and detention of more than 130 political opponents of the PAP.

Dr Poh said that he and Dr Lim Hock Siew had thought that they would be released after two or three years because the purpose of the arrests was to ensure that they would not be able to contest the September 1963 general election. They were wrong. Dr Lim remained in prison for 20 years while Dr Poh for 11 years. His immediate press interview with foreign correspondent led to his rearrest for another six years. He had antagonised Lee Kuan Yew when he called him a "political pimp."

In 1965, Dr Poh Soo Kai was nearly released with the help of Minister Tan Siew Sin when Singapore left Malaysia. Separation proved the Barisan Sosialis right when they opposed merger with unfavourable terms for Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew has never justified his reasons why he detained the two doctors for decades without trial.

Next Up: Final Years of Detention

15/08/2026

15/08/2026

15/08/2026

Part 4 of 6.

Barisan Sosialis was formed by members of the PAP who were expelled by Lee Kuan Yew shortly after the PAP lost the Hong Lim and Anson by elections in 1961. Barisan's constitution was similar to that of the PAP because the Barisan leaders had helped to draft the PAP's Constitution with its socialist ideals.

Lim Chin Siong was respected by the English educated who found him capable of forming a bridge between the Chinese educated and the English educated left. Membership of the new party grew with more disgruntled members leaving the PAP. The PAP was "hollowed out" according to Dr Poh.

Lee Kuan Yew realised that the PAP had lost the support of the people and he would lose the next election. The Barisan meanwhile, took every precaution to avoid any incident that would give the government grounds to clamp down their activities. But despite the care and precaution they took, they didn't have a chance when the British stepped in to save Lee Kuan Yew with its Merger Plan.

More than 130 opposition leaders, trade unionists and students were arrested on the unproven allegation that the Barisan were supplying arms to Azahari in the "Brunei revolt". No evidence or weapons were ever produced or found to substantiate their malicious claim.

Up next: Operation Coldstore

13/08/2026

Speaks Part 3 of 6
PAP in Power
Next: Barisan Sosialis