SINGAPORE, in its push to become a Global City, must not create
a 'second-rate' Western city, said a Nominated MP who fears this is
happening given what he sees as the island-state's obsession with
Western content.
In a hard-hitting speech in Parliament on Friday, NMP Calvin
Cheng did not mince his words, asserting that Singapore is the
'only country in Asia with such an overwhelming hang-up with what
is Western,' based on his own observations and experience in the
media, entertainment and media scene.
Mr Cheng, who owns a modelling agency, said during the debate on
the Ministry of Informsation, Communication and the Arts' budget:
'Singapore needs to recognise that being a Global City does not
mean being a Western City; Globalisation also does not mean
Westernisation. Singapore must understand that no matter how
globalised or modernised it may be, it is still an Asian city.
'International recognition will also not come from aping the
West. I strongly believe that it would be futile to try to be the
New York of the East, or the Las Vegas of Asia, or build a Harvard
of the East. In this globalised world, people are highly mobile -
if the original is so easily reachable, there is no attraction in
the replica.
'If one can hop on a plane and visit the real Paris, why visit
the Paris of the East? This is I think a common misconception that
many Singaporeans still have, that West is best, and that imitation
of the West is the same as being global and modern.'
Citing fashion shows as another example, he noted that most, if
not all of the models used at every fashion festivals here, are
Caucasians. Calling this trend 'ludicrous,' he asked: 'Why would
tourists want to come to Singapore to see a replica fashion show
trying to imitate the runways of the West? Do they also not realise
that as an Asian city, a fashion event that is primarily Asian yet
international event would be more representative of our country and
would generate more international interest?'
He also slammed fashion and lifestyle magazines for using mostly
Caucasian models on the covers and inside stories. 'It is obvious
that again, our media labours under the false impression that
Western is International,' he maintained, and went on to criticise
advertisers for also using Western faces in their
advertisements.
'There is an assertion that the content-providers are catering
to the tastes and mindsets of consumers, who want to see Caucasian
faces, given that they are seen to be more glamorous. I refuse to
believe this, as believing this would mean that Singaporeans are
still stuck with this puerile, colonial hang-up,' said Mr
Cheng.
'Even if this were so, the vicious cycle needs to be broken,
otherwise Singapore will never be a first rate Global City, but
only a second rate wannabe Western City.'
Urging MICA to go beyond its role as a facilitator and a
regulator and be 'an influencer', he said: 'Regulating the
hardware, the technology is a necessary but insufficient condition
for building up Singapore's soft power. It needs to step up, step
forward and start setting an agenda on how Singapore's culture can
be grown, how we can draw from the richness of our 'rojak' culture,
embrace it, be proud of it, so we can truly grow as a nation, and
create a Singapore we have an emotional connection to.'
-- ST