Singapore scores highly on
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index: it is
ranked No. 5 of 158 countries. The Global Competitiveness Report
ranks Singapore No. 6 of 117 economies.
The Government likes to broadcast these figures. But it doesn't
broadcast that it executes more people per head a year than almost
anywhere else. Reporters Without Borders has Singapore No. 140 of
167 countries for media freedom.
if such figures are widely broadcasts, the people would be inclined
to go online to search for a second opinion, instead of relying on
the papers. The govenment would never allow that to happen.
Increasingly, people around the world are beginning
to laugh at Singapore; they laugh at its Government's petty and
self-serving restrictions on what people can and cannot do. But in
Singapore, many people are unaware of this because the
government-controlled media feed them a diet of only good news
stories.
I cannot agree more with this paragraph. An example. Whenever we
make a good investment, or GDP rises, it never fails to hit the
headlines. When projects such as the suzhou investment fails,
whatever reports on it, if any, is restricted to a small section in
the newspapers.
Race relations are often used as
an excuse for restrictions. But Singapore has one of the most
homogeneous race profiles in the world: 77 per cent are Chinese,
the rest comprise Malays and Indians. Singapore does not have the
racial complexities of many countries.
this is just one example on the excuses the govt gives. Another
example. PM Lee mentioned during the election campaign that having
opposition in parliment would decrease its efficiency as he had to
spend time to "fix" the opposition.
Now tell me, which first world government in the world does not
have a strong opposition? Please, we are out of nationbuilding
stage. We need a strong opposition not only to serve as checks, but
also to catch us should our government one day fall apart.
No viable opposition has been
allowed to form, and without robust national debate Singaporeans
are becoming politically de-skilled. Accordingly, the Government
comprises plenty of ministers but few politicians, and there is
little elegance to their art. They know only how to clobber: too
often alternative viewpoints are responded to with public
humiliation, threats, defamation writs and detention. Business
should consider these aspects and not just competitiveness when
assessing Singapore as a place for investment.
The government does not decide if the opposition makes or breaks. I
repeat, the government DOES NOT decide if the opposition makes or
breaks. It is the people who are casting the votes, and deciding
whether the opposition is able to grow.
However, the government can sway the minds of the people through
the media, which it controls, and the laws introduced to handicap
the opposition. It already controls the local media, however, it is
unable to control globalisation and the internet. Hence, when more
people start using the internet to source for alternative views,
the government responds by banning podcasts and political blogs,
leaving the only alternative source of news to the global watchdogs
who are monitering our political scene here. Since the govt cannot
control these overseas reporters, they issue statements telling
foreigners to stop interfering in our country's issues.
Does this sound like a democratic society to you?
He says Singapore has a good
legal system. That is true, but only compared with Indonesia, the
Philippines, China and Thailand. Laws that have not had the benefit
of open public debate and passage through a robust parliament are
not really laws but decrees.
Good legal system? I want to know why the ISD are able to detain
political activists for an indefinate amount of time when there is
no trial, no evidence, and they have no chance to defend
themselves.
I want to know why our esteemed, highly educated leaders of the
judicary are unable to detect the unfairness in the recent GE when
many ordinary singaporeans are able to do so.
Here is the pledge which students have recited daily, from
young:
We, the citizens of singapore, pledge ourselves as one united
people. Regardless of race, language or religion. To build a democratic society, based on justice and
equality. So as to achieve
happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation.
Ask your conscience. How many of the traits in the pledge have we
fufilled, or even ATTEMPTED to fufill?
happiness? yes. my friends and family.
prosperity? progress? I'm not so certain about that since jobs are
being given to foriegners while singaporeans fend for
themselves.
democratic. justice. equality. I think its obvious enough whether
we have these 3.
