Political Commentary
More Comments on the Mas Selamat Scandal
I have been very much heartened by the encouragement given by friends, netizens and fans to write more frequently on my blog in order to share views on political issues, since the Straits Times no longer appears willing to publish my commentaries. (But first I would like to put on record that I really have no hard feelings for the editors who have rejected my articles. I believe they are only doing their job the best way they can; in fact, some of them are my good friends!)
I have been more perturbed by the Mas Selamat case than by any of the past issues that we Singaporeans have expressed unhappiness about, including even the very contentious issue of the ministerial salaries. My unease has to do with the increasing disconnect between the government and the people which I had mentioned in my previous article and which I’ll try to explain more clearly and fully here.
The disconnect is due mainly to the PAP government’s failure, or refusal, to understand the importance of the affective component in a government-people relationship. Indeed anything outside their sternly pragmatic, rationalist, functionalist framework is viewed as just so much unnecessary emotionalism or ideology.
In the Mas Selamat case, the people’s feelings had clearly followed a sequence of three stages, every one of which the government had appeared to dismiss as irrelevant:
- The shock at the announcement of the escape of a top terrorist who had threatened to devastate Singapore 9/11 style, and hence the profound fear that as long as he remained uncaptured, the threat to an entire nation was very real.
- The outrage when it was revealed that the escape had been made possible by lapses so numerous, so ludicrous and so advantageously coincidental for the prisoner as to be like something out of a cheap movie.
- The anger when the Government, instead of responding with the appropriate large political gesture matching the magnitude of the event, chose to concentrate chiefly on a purely administrative and functional response. This consisted mainly of the promise to set up a proper investigation by a committee, to make public the findings and to clean up the system to prevent such incidents in the future. It certainly did not pacify an angry public that firstly, the committee to investigate the incident was one appointed by the government itself; secondly, after the findings were released, the government reiterated its stand of full support for the Minister of Home Affairs and the Director of the ISD under whose charge the incident had taken place, and finally, it closed the matter with a brisk, terse message to move on to issues that deserved more attention, such as the increase in food prices.
Shock, outrage, anger: clearly, the Mas Selamat scandal had been a body blow to the collective Singapore psyche, and had shaken the very core of beliefs about the compact of accountability and trust that exists between the government and the people. It is a universal, sacrosanct compact that exists in every civilized society in the world, with the leaders pledging accountability and the people pledging trust in return.
Would I have wished for a different outcome than what has been played out these days? Yes. Here’s my ‘If only!’ alternative scenario:
As soon as the incident happens, the government realizes its magnitude and understands the people’s feelings and their looking to their leaders to assuage their shock and fear by an appropriate, reassuring and meaningful response. The Minister of Home Affairs accordingly offers to resign. The Prime Minister may or may not accept his resignation, taking into account all factors, including the Minister’s past excellent record, the ground sentiment, the wishes of the Minister himself, etc. and takes responsibility for his decision. With this necessary start of what may be seen as the healing process in a national trauma, the work of correction, repair and reform begins in earnest.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
PAP had missed the window to open up and reform itself. It has cornered itself to a position where it cannot afford to acknowledge any failure. In acknowledging the failure, it will invite more questions and doubts from the public of this first world government claim. It is sad that Singapore is in such state all because of PAP’s own pride and complacency.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I am one who do not know the academic in-and-outs of debating the fine details of cause and effect on the issue of Smart Selamat’s escape and its consequences, and neither do I have the intellect of legal minds to dissect the intricacies of whose direct fault is involved, nor whose direct line of responsibilty is connected, to accept blame in respect to a failure to discharge one’s given job dutifully – in this case to allow a very wanted man to escape.
All I do know is there is such values as honour and moral, amongst others, in conduct of leadership in respect of accepting punishment and accountability when something that is under a leader’s charge had failed.
Apparently, in Singapore (as often we always admonished practice of Confucsian values) I think its difficult to find – leaders of high morals and honour as this case of escape evidenced.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I’ve always known that since 1990 when the PAP Govt doubled their Ministers’ salaries in a twinkling of an eye and without so much as by your leave, they are living in a different world from the “rakyat” ( the common people}.Slowly but surely after this significant event, their thinking wavelengths also started to deviate away from that of their citizens.It became a “Them” and “Us” factions between the rulers and the ruled. Thus it became understandable to me when Mrs GCT the patron of NKF replied to the media ” TT Durai’s $600,000 annual salary is PEANUTS!” She and her family had been living in a completely different world from the average family! She and hubby must be raking in 10-15X more than TT Durai’s $600k.She was absolutely correct with her statement as far as her perspective was concerned, wasn’t she? Is there any wonder that their top-down ministerial report to Parliament is largely a closing-of-ranks of the thinkers (read top leaders) including WKS himself and the direct fingering of the doers (read the rank-and-file semi-robots). Catherine, you are absolutely correct in your 1994 article that there is a great disaffective divide between them(the rulers) and us (the ruled).It’s now playing itself out time and again culminating in this unbelievable Mas Selamat Saga…..there’s more to come. Watch this space but take comfort from what just happened up north.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
the more the “mainstream” media sieves off articles that might deem not “politically correct” to be published, the more disconnected the high-paid PAP ministers will become. perhaps the Chinese idiom “掩耳盗锃” (Plugging Ones Ears While Stealing a Bell) could describe this psychology.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Our leaders don’t seem to be very good in following their own advice. They have advised the Japanese on more than 1 occasion, to apologize properly for the mistakes of the 2nd World War and move on. And yet they have not apologized to the people of Spore.
“It shouldn’t have happened. I sam sorry that it did”. What kind of apology is that?
April 27th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Once again, the PAP has undermined the trust and duty of care to people of Singapore. Reminded that this is not one case but series of many case where there is lack of accountability, transparency and responsibility to the nation. Even the sale of Tuas power to China company has been downplay by the mainstream media and the coffers, where sale of profit of greater than $3 billions of money go unaccounted for. In Thailand, the sale of national asset to foreigner endup in exposure of corruption and abolishment of the prime minister by the people of Thailand, which eventually lead to overthrow of the government. In Singapore, the sale of national asset to foreigners have taken on much larger scale and far widespread in practice than any other countries. It is another league of its own. Corruption of the highest order had occurred in Singapore, far more worse than other corrupted-known country because legal corruption masquerading as “For your own good” is at play.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Dear Ms Lim,
You have voiced out what many of us feel.
On Saturday, we have Chua Lee Hoong urging everyone to “move on”. Today, Sunday, we hear Goh Chok Tong using exactly the same words. On both occasions, the words “move on” are in the headlines of the reports.
That says a lot to me.
I agree with you that the govt is fast losing its moral authority to lead Singaporeans. The issue of moral authority was brushed aside by Minister Teo Chee Hean during the debate on increasing ministerial salaries.
But nonetheless, it is becoming an issue – and can only become more pronounced as we await the third increase in ministerial salaries sometime later this year.
Couple that with the perceived lack of accountability in this Mas Selamat fiasco, one truly wonders how much political capital the PAP – and the PM in particular – is willing to spend to bulldoze its way through Singaporeans’ genuine concerns.
Your earlier article, The Great Affective Divide, written in 1994, rings even more true today – 14 years on.
In a nutshell, as I posted on the P65 blog in response to PAP MP Lam Pin Min:
“You know how to rule. But you don’t know how to lead.”
Regards, Andrew Loh theonlinecitizen.com
April 28th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Spot on! The Great Divide. It is obviously clear they have chosen NOT TO Listen to the PEOPLE. The State has a life of its own outside the perview of the Citizens. Look at how investments have been made by our STATE investments companies. Whos money is it really? The State seems to be more = the PAP nowadays. I find it ridiculous that even the ISD Head was not sacked for such incompetency that created the opportunity of such a ludicrous and easy escape! We should not move on. They should! I can see a painful process of healing for all Singaporeans but I believe this is necessary if we are ever going to get a government that re-connects to the people. These people have indeed lost the moral high ground to lead the nation. We need to renew this State/Citizen pact and that can only begin by greatly reducing the PAP power in parliament and risk more Opposition. We need to collectively convince the 66.6% that through the complacency and apathy with their electorial rights, they have allowed this situation to grow into a monster as it is. The citizen has to start taking Responsibility for this Mess! Yes. We put the PAP into power with all thier attitudes and allowed them to do as they like and thus put ourselves into this MESS. We have to solve it. We must be more responsible with our Votes. Will WE?
April 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
This fiasco in my opinion is a big test for our current leaders. I think they failed very badly in trying to trivialse it, brush it off n weak rallies to move on.We are not living in the 60s or 70s anymore, the current leaders, MPs n ministers alike have lost that political goodwill accumulated these 40 yrs. The Mas Selamat/WKS issue is not (In my opinion)a life n death issue for the country, but it was handled very badly and the political damage has been self inflicted with memories of it in yrs to come. The geat divide has certainly been widened in the process.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Thanks Catherine. in the year 2006 election campain, the PAP seniors show their urgly face. In this case, it show how badly the current government handler the situation. Thanks to MAS Selamat escape. I hope this is the wake up call the 66.6%.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Catherine;
thank You for giving us your voice all these years. I assume that in the past, You were reminding the Leadership to be more caring of the people.
Now, I presume You are quite disappointed with the showings of the Leadership which had never took notice of your constant reminders. On top of this, many blunders and controversies have frequently occured and You are all eyes and ears of them.
Personally, I wish that You could be more active as an intellectual citizen and could relate with more people in the Internet. With your active participation, the Internet will be able to attract and activate more citizens into the Affairs of our country.
The Lay Citizens are powerless over their plights and the influx of foreigners are obscuring their (Singaporeans) problems. Your contributions to look into the wellbeings of the people and the country will be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely: patriot.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Truth be told, I don’t think WKS’s record is excellent. Anyone still remember the fiasco that is the ban on protests during the AGM of the World Bank that was held here.
Or what about the fact that Richard Yong was able to escape from Singapore after his conviction or Took Leng How.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
This “moving on” suggestion merely serve to talk down on the people, implying we are not capable of looking at the larger picture as well as “being petty”. This has been the gahmen’s tack since Day 1, even the suggestion of “we are complacent” by our high regarded leader implies it’s OUR collective complacency and not the fault of the establishment.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Catherine,
I am not convinced that the Minister for Home Affairs and the Head os ISD is blameless in this affair.
The Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the government, with staff from the Home Ministry itself as one of its members. How can such a commission be truly independent? I question whether such a commission will actually reveal if management as well as operational lapses were to blame for the escape.
For example, why were there no/lax standards for various things which contributed to the escape: the design of the toilets and fences, maintenance standard for the CCTVs, etc. Why was such a dangerous man held at a facilty with such low security? Who makes these decisions?
I find it truly incredible that the Prime Minister believes that a Presidential Commission is unnecessary because only ONE terrorist escaped! My God, what do you need, the Fox River Eight?
I believe there are many, many questions left unanswered. I have a feeling we will never know.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
the ones who suffer the mosts from these are those serving their national service, who suffer from lack of sleep and bak to back duties to how that the goverment is doing something to secure singapore in preventing MSK from escaping.
If you are unhappy wih the government, do something with your vote.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Let’s not let this incident just passed away in GE2011. Tell those aunties and uncles their vote counts. Shity Times cannot be trusted anymore. They have not even called me back till now. We must spread to all people to exercise their rights in GE2011 mindfully so that this government received a wake up call. And by the way, how come there is a rise in ministerial pay coming up again?
April 29th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Thanks for this enlightening analysis, brilliantly written.
It is sad to see ministers of that age not quite mutured to take on the role of senior politicians and/or governmental officials. This is not the behaviour of a mutured and confident government. It pained me to see these people simply wants to “move on”, and not to reflect on lessons learnt and express sincere apologies. It also makes the call to vote them for security sounds somewhat hollow. With our politicians, the bugs don’t stop at them.
This is made worst by the lack of a neutral media and opposition. It is an insult to our intelligence those lame excuses and almost personal remarks that are used to justify their actions – “I know him for years ..” – simply known by a minister is enough, mertitocracy??
One of the things about this government is that there seems to be far too many issues that they do not want to address for a variey of reasons and they hide in their pragmatic, no-nonsense, rationalistic and high handed manner in dealing with citizens and their concerns.
Another sad day…
April 29th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
doesnt matter what you say or how loud you shout Cat Lim. You will not even move forward one millimeter without those space monkeys brudderhud ppl backing you!
You see it’s very simple really. if u dont have the intellectuals behind you nothing ever happens catherine and one thing is for certain, they dont think very highly of you.
So sorry.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
You should be sorry, Soothy, for being a pathetic basket case of “intellectuals”. It’s people like you who gives bloggers and netizens a bad name.
Anyone who study Marx (hmm, that’s me) will know that hegemony in ideology can only be overturned by an alternative ideology.
Right now, the dominant PAP idiotlogy is to make things appear necessary and normal to maintain social unity and cohesion. All interests are sublimated to fulfil this.
Can anyone offer an alternative ideology? I doubt so but I may be wrong.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:12 am
extremely out spoken woman. i would have flirted with you if you were 35 years younger. (was watching the video of your speech and LYK PP school)
i need help. probably you can e-mail me if you’re not to busy.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:09 am
[...] other people who are more popular than myself (and Dr Seuss if they are lucky), do check out this blog post written by Catherine Lim on the Mas Selamat [...]
May 1st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Good show Ms Catherine Lim. Please blog on.
This is a new milestone in the history of Singapore. We are glad to have more people like you to voice out what we are afraid to speak other than hiding behind a pseudonym behind a computer screen. At least you have the guts to stand up in the open and let others (and cowards) take shots at you.
You are a Brave One for the Brave New World!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Dear Catherine,
I am conducting a study on “”Internet Users’ Perceptions of Socio-Political Blog Credibility in Singapore”.” I would like to seek your assistance in this research. Could you kindly email me and I’ll be glad to send you more information.
Thank you, Linda
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The last so called ‘general-election’ to me should be called ‘a very big by-election’. Doesn’t it? Think again.
A political reform is urgently needed.
The press is very good in ’spinning’ words and sentences. Don’t we think so?
May 4th, 2008 at 3:06 am
In Malaysia, they have “Ketuanan Melayu”
Here, it’s “Ketuanan Kerajaan PAP”
Sad but true!
With your blog, hopefully the Tuans will realise that they are paid millions to serve and not to wayang!
feedmetothefish
May 4th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
i think this is the biggest joke that we have in Singapore. If others in the world heard abt this case, what will they think of our govt?
Low Thia Khiang has done a gd job, in a way that humiliates the govt, but in one way prevents himself from getting into an argument.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
To rebuild PAP’s credibility – and frankly there is no other alternative because of past persecution of opposition members – LKY and his son has to resign, then PAP to step up to the plate and admit it isn’t perfect but is the best alternative for Singapore. Once humbled, they will be able to move on and restore its own pride and hopefully gain currency in the eyes of the public.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I am for accountability from top down and like any MNC, CEO takes responsibility by stepping down when wrong decision is made. The oversight in this instance is ’schoolboy mistake’, a toilet window in the highly guarded detention has no grilles secured and it is really laughable to say the least. No question asked, Minister WKS should volunteer to step down and it is not as if there is no able man in the cabinet taking over his porfolio.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Taxpayers’ money is being used to conduct this ongoing ridiculous islandwide search of a limping terrorist who, (if he was able to escape from a high security detention centre), has in all likelihood, left the country on or shortly after escape. What I would like is (i) to know how much has been spent so far (ii) how much more will be spent and then (iii) to know who is to be held accountable for this expenditure, which should be used to assist the poor in this time of food cost crisis.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I recall when LSL got about 66.6% of the votes in the last election against the sucide squad from WP, he said that it was a great achievement.
I could tell that he was tired and disappointed.
However what he said was silly because it was actually more of a slap on the face. He should have and expected to get 80% or better. Yet he said what he said.
I can’t help but feel that he is being advised to say these things that he doesn’t necessarily believe in.
He should have declared that he was disappointed then and state that he will work hard to regain the trust and built it back up to 80%. He should have displayed humility and acknowledge the result. Instead he dismissed with what he said. He lost a chance to show his human side.
Fast forward to today. He commits the same mistake again. A golden opportunity to show Singapore what a great leader he can be but instead he dismisses everything and distanced himself further from the average Singaporean. What a shame.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Dear Catherine,
I enjoy reading your comments about the PAP-dominated government. Yeah, not to worry as the PAP will face a tough time ahead due to the fact that they will be facing a younger generation that is well educated, sophiscated, demanding and open-minded. PAP’s days are numbered. Just look at history. Great empires got established and flourished and in the end, they still declined. Just look at PAP today. Catherine, i just want to wish you all the best and keep on writing always. May the Truth prevail. Don’t worry, God always side with those who are right. Thank you.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
H Ms Lim, You should move to Australia like me. You can bellyache as much as you like and the government will simply ignore you. Remember the Haneff’s affair, the doctor that was imprisoned for about 14 days and them lost his visa to stay n Australia. From your perspective, he should enjoy nature justice to this gentleman in Australia, under a liberal democratic government. But in reality, it is not always the cause. Please follow up the Haneff’s case in the internet and you may be surprised to see the case will inevitably result in a wholesale whitewash after the inquiry. As a human being, you will find other country is always better than the country you live in; I can fullly understand this. Please immigrate, Australia needs people like you to expose the duplicity of democratic free speech: they just ignore you because you are a pain in the neck.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
What is Demacratic? Do you really think demacratic will be really good for the country ? Please look at Taiwan, how is the life for Taiwan people for the past 8 years there…please dont be so naive … just Demacratic can solve all the prolem…just be realistic, Singapore has made a big improvement under PAP. Singapore government has done a good job…Nobody iis perfect, and no government is perfect , please learn to how to appreciate others job
so
May 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Rose..your English sux..it seems that you are a Taiwanese..haha..how can you advocate PAP? They are hypocrites. Well, nobody’s perfect but no one told you to be a hypocrite..i tell you what, when Lee’s Epoch is over and done, people will see a different Singapore..long live Justice..
May 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
King Cripple, you are right about it, but only 10%. The only thing right about you is calling yourself a crippler. Not your limbs but in your head. 呆å，I guess u r a chinese that does not know chinese language well. Act as if you are an ang-Mo sick man. You are real hypocrites unknowingly even try to conceal your true identity. Fake ang-mo sick man, The only thing I can agree with u is neither PAP nor Lees are perfect. Even god is not perfect, because how can god does not make man kind all equal. That I am a health balance human being and yet you r a king cripple.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Taiwan is not as matured as European and US who can handle democracy well. Just look at Republicans and Democrats Presidential elections? Taiwan was ready for democracy but it has learnt its lessons.
Singapore is really a packaged democracy whereby there is no level playing field for opposition. Everything is kinda one sided and top down. The scaring tactics have worked well with many selfish and personal Singaporeans who care about their upgrading or their jobs… So kinda, blame the selfish Singapores and MOVE ON! haaa
May 16th, 2008 at 4:24 am
I think the investigation was well-conducted. A copy of it is publicly available. All that noise.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Regarding the investigation, I still cannot understand why the report stopped short of questioning the audit process.
In all listed companies, there is a audit chairman on the board that requires audits are done and the audit result is reviewed by the board.
Apparently there was an audit done (but not consistently enough) and a list of shortcomings were listed. However, the issues were not resolved nor followed up.
Surely, this audit result does not stop at the superintendent. Surely, it must be reviewed at a much higher level – either ISD chief or even at some key person at the ministry headquarters.
I simply cannot understand why these people were concluded to be blame free and the buck stopped at the superintendent and the officers on hand.
Even if the audit was done not well, the people who have equivalent responsibilities as the “audit chairman” must be held accountable.
Why is it that the investigation stopped short of asking these questions. In listed companies, the audit chairman (and even the chairman) can go to jail if they failed to do the duty and caused a major issue at the company. Shouldn’t this be equivalent?
It is estimated that we must have lost S$10M as a result of this search.
The intangible cost is much higher. The delays that is caused at the Causeway puts all the claimed traffic congestion losses in CBD (which resulted in more taxes to the citizens as a solution) to shame.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:19 am
observer,
When public boards round the world become listed companies, which going by your tone might just happen, I will give you support for the observation that ‘audits’ at local public or statutory boards be done at ‘a much higher level’.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
ms,
there are many countries in the whole that the leaders plunder and commit gross abuses to the citizens and yet the question to quit never even arises.
however, in singapore, when the government claims to be whiter than white and demands that they be compensated according, that’s when the expectations is raised.
you can’t have your cake and eat it too. when the country is run like a company, the citizens also expect the leaders to face the standards (and ramifications) for performance.
so, while i think singapore is extremely unique but its really a result of what the government has done. if indeed the audits current is not at a much higher level, i think our leaders has failed. they grab all the credit for a perfect civil service with leaders that are paid much higher than anyone else, made up with the brightest of what singapore has to offer and yet a simple disciple is not put in?
just as the government has demostrated that they are not forgiving, i am afraid a segment of the people will be likewise. the ones who are against, wou;d make any difference. the ones who used to support and now see the inconsistent will be lost forever. it is afterall the government’s choice.
btw, your support is not needed. just wlking by and posting an opinion.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
I totally agree with Observer. You know what i know and what others know. There are things happening in the government that we dare not say as any statements made by us could lead to civil sue. We are just powerless to do anything at the present moment. However, the day (360 degree change for Singapore) will come. That change will only take place after the fall of the “Empire”. The ruling party will be facing with a new generation of people who are well educated, critical and brave. I know they have such attributes because i’m one of them. Just beware of us. I dislike dirty politics that hinder others from participating in politics and policies that are unjust. Don’t ever be a coward. Cowards die many times before their death. By the way, just look at Malaysia. PAP = BN. Haha. If BN, who used to rule Malaysia for so long can crumble, i guess you guys know what i’m trying to derive here.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Reply to:
cantmoveon – 16 May 2008 at 04:24
Quote:
“I think the investigation was well-conducted. A copy of it is publicly available. All that noise.”
How can the investigation by the COI be considered as well conducted when its report raises more questions than in answering existing questions? We can easily sense a certain degree of altering or tailoring could have been done.
May 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
My friends from overseas often remarked at the end of their stay here that “this island is like a paradise”, and it is not lost to add on to describe the blossoming red dot. Of course I too will try to play the perfect host to make their stay here happy and memorable. Growing up here has been a blessing; venturing overseas next either for “greener pastures” so to speak or simply for economic survival is inevitable. I really hope that most Singaporeans can eventually feel the same way as the foreign visitors who are not affected by the NKF scandal, Mas Selamat or the now and then inefficiencies of the civil service as evidenced by serious tunneling work collapses, recent seat belt and ERP issues.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
yes, singaporean should learn to feel the same way as foreign visitors. also the gahment should also learn to expect the same pay as foreign gahment.
there are lies, damn lies and statistics. you see its all about cause and effect. you cannot always use selective statistics. you want us to focus on how expensive petrol is in UK or in some countries but what about the US? they are only S$1.30 per liter.
cannot always say that we must forget gahment mistakes but then they claim to be infallible. want reward also must take responsibilities what.
alamak now the superintendent is made the scape goat. somemore everyone else upstairs walk away scot free. how can. indeed some people are more equal than others. oh well, that’s singapore.
now, what was that… oh learn to feel like foreigners…
May 28th, 2008 at 6:25 am
The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. I can’t say how applicable this is for Singaporeans.
I happened to click the link to you blog (from another), and I’m really glad I did. Never knew there was someone out there speaking out (naive?).
Although I’m only turning 21 this year, I grew up with the mindset that no one can or should talk and discuss government/political issues (of Singapore). I heard there was an area where people went up to the stand to voice out their opinions, but I thought as soon as they went near to cursing/putting down the government, they’d be thrown into jail.
Our generation is definitely more exposed now. Many see the differences between each country’s government; we even compare them sometimes.
Thank you for voicing out.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Typical response from our effective government.
“Hey! What to do, it has happened. I’m sure it’s just an honest mistake, so we should all learn to forgive and forget! Let’s move on!”
Life is easy as a PAP minister.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I guess we see the posters of the Most Wanted everywhere, perhaps within the image of Mas Selamat is actually a poster of the Most UNWANTED?
June 1st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Hello, Dr Lim, I would like to ask whether you would be interested in participating in a project – say, as co-author of a book I am working on?
Please give me a response through email.
rgds