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Singapore - offending the sensibilities of government : Comments
By Kevin Childs, published 10/12/2009Australia should consider human rights when it gets into cosy deals with places such as the repressive state of Singapore.
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Singapore is a safe place. It is a clean place. It is a place with very restrictive laws, but it is home to a well-educated, prosperous group of citizens. While doing Asian studies at uni, I engaged with a lot of Singaporean students, all of whom spoke fondly about home. The general sentiment was that they were happy to give up a range of individual freedoms for the common good, as the common good inevitably resulted in improved conditions for the individual as well. I am sure that there are some - probably many - who disagree, but I have yet to meet any. When I have spent time in Singapore, I have always seen a population that seems happy - surely this is the purpose of government?
As for the American kid who was caned for vandalism - why should they treat him differently because he is foreign? If I go to Singapore and commit a crime, I would expect to be punished in the Singaporean way. Similarly, if journalists wish to work in Singapore, and if publications wish to base their staff in Singapore, they need to abide by Singaporean rules and do things the Singaporean way. If they don't like that, perhaps they'd like to report on events from a more remote location. No sympathy here.