Dear Claude,
As much as I like to agree with you that Singapore is not treated
fairly, I must say that it is brought onto by ourselves- OUR
Government and Singaporeans.
You see, our recent government does not have any back bone. They
are always concerned with only economic progress and money making.
It is their priority- its probably our survival (though strongly
contested) - though not a bad thing- they have forgotten to raise
the profile and dignity of Singapore in the international stage. In
their minds- everything is the economy and everything else takes
second place- whether free speech, people's livelihood, leisure,
workers and Union's rights, foreign talent, immigration and even
towards Malaysia. We have been playing the submissive role, the
supporting role and Singaporeans are always not better than
foreigners etc. Where has there been a time where we have been the
leader in other stuff like the Iraq war, East Timor, war against
terrorist (not to mention our generals were raise to ranks of BG,
Lt.General or Major generals without even going for war). We are
just too easy to play the follower of USA and Australia and
foreigners. That puts ourselves in the 2nd or even 3rd position- we
lose our own ability to command respect.
We are just too easy to forgive a wrong and too willing to make
concession. Take Michael Fay, by consenting to reduce from 6 canes
to 4 its already a breach.
You see we do not have an active political participation to enforce
this. Look at Michael Fay, the US citizens and his fellow districts
and even his President raised up to defend him. Where is our social
consciousness to enforce the extradiction of Michael McCrea for
national dignity? Who can we blame when we have been surpressed of
such feelings by our government for the last 40 years?
As such it also created a culture of reservation and fear of
speaking up for fear of being ridiculed or be "Made responsponsible
or even being sued for it".
So this case is not Australia's fault. It is our fault for not
raising our national dignity and the PAP government holds the
largest responsibilty for it.
Also I have to include, our laws are well know to be dragcanian,
dogmatic and is not seen as fair in our age of modernity, openness
and the Intenet.
So before we blame others, let start looking ourselves in the
mirror and ask ourselves what have we contributed to this. As
Singaporeans, we have allowed the government to extend this vicious
cycle for too long- so much so that they now even think that
foreigners are better than Singaporeans.
I think by awareness is already the first step for us to take
action to prevent this from happening again. What action to take is
probably within us to do in 1 or 2 years time. Its a choice we have
to make- servitude or freedom.