3 ms·

I am a Singaporean, born and raised here. Just starting out on my own after 4 plus years of enterprise work. The one book which my secondary school teacher re

I am a Singaporean, born and raised here. Just starting out on my own after 4 plus years of enterprise work. The one book which my secondary school teacher recommended and put how Singapore has developed into perspective is 'The Prince'. Although I would say my country is making some of the mistakes the book warned about. With regards to freedom of speech, Singapore operates based on the principle of OB markers. Many factors have contributed to the existence of these markers, such as the turbulent times that occurred when the countries around the region were gaining independence, the demographics of the surrounding countries ... Freedom of speech is great when each of us have the wisdom to know when to exercise it or the consequences of a misplaced whisper or misguided rant may not be catastrophic. The fear of certain things being said is from the fear of what the unforeseen consequences might be. If anyone has questions about Singapore, or interested in starting out here, do contact me.

sgpatriot 16y ago
Throwaway account I'm a born and raised Singaporean as well, as well as a member of an opposition party in Singapore. Its true that while Singapore has draconian laws like the death penalty, or the Internal Security Act (equivalent of the Patriot Act which allows detention without trial) or even the Public Order Act[1], which allows police to charge a citizen for unlawful assembly even if he's just one person with a sign, one can live life pretty peacefully without any worries like any decent citizen in any other developed country. But that's only if you're not involved in politics that opposes the current ruling party, the People's Action Party. There is a great double standard in the lands when it comes to the things opposition parties can do and civil society. For one, when CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore) held its May 1st 'protest', it was not hassled or stopped by the police. But when another opposition party goes on to do the same, its activists were convicted and faces a fine ranging from $900 to $1,000 and six or seven days of imprisonment in default.[2] On the other hand, things are slowly being improved, but opposition leaders still face a problem getting their views heard to the mass media (media is state-owned). Contrary to popular belief, political victory is still determined on the grassroots level which consists of mom and pops, uncles and aunties who do not know how to search or read alternative political news online. The state-media are renown to be able to shape public opinion as well as discarding letters from the public or opposition leaders from being published[3]. If there's anyone who has any questions about being a member of an opposition party in Singapore, I'd be glad to share my input from the other side of the fence. P/S: I am not affiliated with the Singapore Democratic Party. [1] http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTM5OQ%3D%3D-3BtUG%2B2xe3A%3D http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTM5OQ%3D%3D-3Bt... [2] http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4264-singapore-logic-okay-on-1-may-not-okay-9-aug http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4264-singapo... [3] http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/10/22/singapores-press-freedom-drops-to-a-new-low/ http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/10/22/singapores-press-fre...

sgpatriot 16y ago

Throwaway account I'm a born and raised Singaporean as well, as well as a member of an opposition party in Singapore. Its true that while Singapore has draconian laws like the death penalty, or the Internal Security Act (equivalent of the Patriot Act which allows detention without trial) or even the Public Order Act[1], which allows police to charge a citizen for unlawful assembly even if he's just one person with a sign, one can live life pretty peacefully without any worries like any decent citizen in any other developed country. But that's only if you're not involved in politics that opposes the current ruling party, the People's Action Party. There is a great double standard in the lands when it comes to the things opposition parties can do and civil society. For one, when CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore) held its May 1st 'protest', it was not hassled or stopped by the police. But when another opposition party goes on to do the same, its activists were convicted and faces a fine ranging from $900 to $1,000 and six or seven days of imprisonment in default.[2] On the other hand, things are slowly being improved, but opposition leaders still face a problem getting their views heard to the mass media (media is state-owned). Contrary to popular belief, political victory is still determined on the grassroots level which consists of mom and pops, uncles and aunties who do not know how to search or read alternative political news online. The state-media are renown to be able to shape public opinion as well as discarding letters from the public or opposition leaders from being published[3]. If there's anyone who has any questions about being a member of an opposition party in Singapore, I'd be glad to share my input from the other side of the fence. P/S: I am not affiliated with the Singapore Democratic Party. [1] http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTM5OQ%3D%3D-3BtUG%2B2xe3A%3D http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTM5OQ%3D%3D-3Bt... [2] http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4264-singapore-logic-okay-on-1-may-not-okay-9-aug http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4264-singapo... [3] http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/10/22/singapores-press-freedom-drops-to-a-new-low/ http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/10/22/singapores-press-fre...