http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/448…
What’s really behind the restriction on Thaipusam?
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Teoh Tian Jing
Could the new Thaipusam regulations be a knee-jerk response to
the gang-related street violence in recent months? The announcement
of the restrictions by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) seems to
suggest so.
Under the new rules, no singing or music is allowed in the
procession, and portable music equipment are banned as well. The
2011 guidelines states that “shouting and other forms of unruly
behavior is prohibited; participants shall not paint their faces or
bodies or wear any form of disguise”.
Is shouting considered unruly behaviour? If it is, what do we do
about people screaming (often vulgarity) during a football match?
And if painting one’s face is prohibited, then those who paint
their faces during National Day Parades should be disallowed too.
What about disguise? Are we also going to ban the lion dance and
the bighead doll that accompanies the lion? What about the guy in
the Tua Pek Kong costume giving out ang pows?
This is the problem with Singapore. The Government makes rules
that arbitrarily discriminate against certain sections of the
community. This creates resentment among the people.
When the authorities should be relaxing rules to allow for more
spontaneity and expression, it does the opposite and enforces even
more conformity in our society.
Singaporeans are, by and large, a tolerant people when it comes
to religious and ethnic ceremonies. Hungry Ghost Festival getais,
deity processions, Malay weddings, and Chinese funerals have been
taking place frequently in our midst and for many decades.
So it seemed more than a little strange that one of the reasons
cited was that “residents of new homes along the processions 4km
route” had complained about the Thaipusam festival. The procession
courses through parts of Orchard Road and Tank Road which means
that it does not affect Singaporean heartlanders. So who are the
real complainants? Are they Singaporeans?
What about the road closures? Are the complaints because of the
inconvenience caused by the closure of the roads? If that’s the
case, then what about the road closures for the F1 race and
National Day parades which occur for several days and weekends. The
Thaipusam festival occurs only for one day in a year.
The pervasive social control the government wields on Singapore
society applies not only to religious issues. In 1987, then Prime
Minister and current Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said: “If we had
not intervened on very personal matters – who your neighbour is,
how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language
you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people
think.”
The potential for this resentment may not be evident now as the
PAP continues to take a heavy-handed
authoritarian approach on social issues against segments of the
population. But there are indications that resentment is building
up, and the PAP may find itself falling from
its authoritarian grace simply because the people have had
enough.
The PAP deflects political responsibility
by getting the government-appointed HEB to
announce the restrictions. It doesn’t hide anything.
If the new rules are a reaction to the recent gang violence,
then it is overkill. Does the police have evidence that Thaipusam
festivities are related to violence?
The ban on drums, body painting and music removes the
traditional and religious elements of Thaipusam. It will only
disappoint those seeking religious solace as they take part in this
annual event.
The PAP champions religious tolerance
among Singaporeans. It does not seem to practice what it
preaches.
Teoh Tian Jing is a member of the Young Democrats, the youth
wing of the SDP.
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