I believe that the question here is rather not how much we have
to learn, but how similar we are to Taiwan. Perhaps we can draw
parallels in terms of our political development. The Kuomintang
lifted martial law and Lee Teng Hui ushered in a new era of
democratic reforms, finally resulting in the recent passing over of
power to the DPP. A gradual release in an authoritarian regime can
be observed, and perhaps the government in Singapore is trying to
enforce similar changes, put in such a fashion that it is gentle
and does not have an overly drastic effect in the state of things
at present. The floodgates of change are opening, what with
Education reforms, liberalisation of the Telecoms Market, the
inevitable liberalisation of the arts scene and media, and the
changing political climate. Even the erection of the Speakers
Corner, which some may regard as a pointless pursuit, but which i
feel is nevertheless a truly symbolic gesture as to the opening up
of Singapore. Perhaps we will witness a paradigm shift in the
political climate of Singapore, like what Taiwan has
experienced.
