Said Zahari's 17 Years Trailer

In the early hours of 2nd February 1963, security police in Singapore launched Operation Coldstore - the mass arrests and detention of more than a hundred leaders and activists of political parties, trade unions and student movements, for their alleged involvement in "leftist" or "communist" activities. One of those arrested was former newspaper editor Said Zahari, who had been appointed the leader of an opposition party just three hours earlier.

A staunch anti-colonialist, Zahari had assumed that the mass arrests, set against the backdrop of Singapore's struggle for independence, was no more than yet another turn of event in a politically volatile era. Freedom for him and the others, it seemed, would be secured once Singapore gained full independence.

On 9th of August 1965, by way of its separation from Malaysia, Singapore finally gained full independence and sovereignty. And as the republic embarked on a determined quest for economic prosperity, it dawned on Zahari that his new-found Singaporean citizenship did not accord him freedom.

By the time he was released in 1979, he had spent a total of 17 years in detention without trial. He now holds the distinction of being the second longest-serving political detainee in Singapore after Chia Thye Poh.

Ex-detainees of the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, are often reluctant to publicise their experiences. Zahari's 17 Years marks the first time that an ex-political detainee has broken his silence on film.

Said Zahari's upcoming book, entitled "The Long Nightmare - 17 Years in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison", is the second volume of his trilogy of memoirs which recount his experiences in detention and the anti-colonial struggles of his generation.


Director

Zahari's 17 Years is directed, shot and edited by Martyn See.

Martyn See is currently undergoing police investigation for his first film, 'Singapore Rebel', which has been banned by the Singapore authorities for violating the Films Act pertaining to political films. If convicted, he faced a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment or a S$100,000 fine.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Singapore
• Said
• Zahari
• 17
• Years
• Video
• Trailer

[nevets432]

HI it hasn't been released and is currently being shown

6 Oct to 8 Oct

PENANG : The Actors Studio Greenhall, Ground Floor, Zhong Zheng School Memorial Centre, 32, Lebuh Light, 10200 Penang

For invite in Penang, call Wee Ching 012-2755438 Or Chon Kai 019-5669518

[lionman1234567890]

i was born when this man was put in prison. I heard storied about the majority party putting many opposition in prison. This was the begining of the error of freedom of speech taken away by the goverment. I am glad i left this country for the real freedom of speech. USA is the best place to live. the people rule and not the goverment.

[konnizill]

Well if you get to hear the rest of the interview he becomes somewhat critical of a certain "mentor" in Singapore.

Amnesty International has written in many reports that it is concerned about the lack of freedom of expression in Singapore.

[meotaku2]

Wow, 17 years a political prisoner.

I never hear of this before.

[94353279]

woahh.. jail for making films?

crazy man

[mathewjohn5174]

cant imagine what life will be with malays in control, perhaps worse than malaysia, with stupid bumiputra laws

[Hanidiva]

Hi everyone... i am in the midst of research about Utusan Melayu for an info ed programme. Anyone has contacts to SAid Zahari himself?

[TheStudioOne]

...cakap kt dlm negri bley lah..gi la negara China tuh baru tebukak mate smua..dlu org melayu bodo x pnah kuar negara ikut jek cakap org pandai temberang (mcm pemimpin kite mase tuh)..skrang smua dah pandai naik bas pn bley sampai thailand..alasan british mase tuh nk takutkn org melayu cakap belanda jahatla, jepun jahatla, komunis jahatla abis british baik ke?..bagi2kan negara org..melayu lain,indon lain,thailand lain..cuba klu gi UK tengokla nasib org melayu kat sne.smua diorgnk jdikan pelacur.

[TheStudioOne]

Dulu komunis lwn british=british kata komunis terorist (sekarang ni Islam,pastu ape2je agama diorg ban kecuali yahudi & kristian),british ajak orang melayu bodoh mase tu bunuh komunis (macam skang ni bom bunoh diri)...tapi skang komunis dh x ade,habib diorg tu siape? kalau bukan rakyat Malaysia jugak...diorg pun pertahankan negara diorg dari unsur barat jugak...mungkin bila orang2 tua bodo yg ikut idea british ni dah mati mungkin komunis pulak bley jd hero kerana memperjuangkan negara diaorg..

[s8603088h]

Haha.Don't you guys worry.Look at Suharto & Mahathir.Modern epoch dictators.The former is gone and he left his shame behind.The latter is crumbling although at a slow speed but hey, crumbling eventually.Singapore's opportunity will come.Just be patient and play the waiting game as we have time on our side.Once the day we have been waiting for arrived,seize the opportunity well.God backs those who are right, supports those who are brave & salutes those who uphold & fight for justice.Wait & see..

[devilmdma]

the first book of the three part trilogy by Said Zahari is; 'Meniti lautan Gelora'. An english edition which is called 'Dark Clouds at Dawn', and also in Mandarin edition. It has been succesfully published in 2001 by Utusan Publications & Distributions Sdn Bhd. The second book, 'The Long Nightmare; My 17 Years As A Political Prisoner' which was published in 2007 which i know some of you may know about. The third n last will be out next year insyallah.

[vistory]

full video?