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I have no skin in this game but I am really impressed by how safe and overall pleasant Singapore is. If the strict laws are the reason, let it be.

anonymousDan 5y ago
Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other countries that do just fine without them.
fxtentacle 5y ago
It's the high average wealth level together with affordable food and high density = affordable residential areas. In the US, homelessness and people stealing for food are problems. In Singapore, both is less severe due to much lower prices.
- taylortrusty 5y ago
  Very few people are stealing for food in the US. Free food for the homeless is widely available in every major city.
  - pessimizer 5y ago
    This is untrue; not everyone lives in a major city; and the vast majority of people who can't afford food have somewhere to live. People steal food everywhere, everyday, and when I was homeless, finding free food was nearly a full time job, which failed often. There were particular days with particular churches (with particular requirements), but no sort of blanket food coverage that didn't involve constant hunting.
- Jerrrry 5y ago
  >people stealing for food are problems. this is absurd
AlexandrB 5y ago
I don't think I'd feel safe in a place where the full force of the law can be applied based on mere suspicion: > Singapore’s Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act allows the authorities to detain an individual indefinitely without trial, if they are suspected of drug trafficking. It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over.
- User23 5y ago
  > It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over. This is true everywhere. Just some places are more honest about it than others.
  - filoleg 5y ago
    I would wager that it is a bit more dangerous when that principle is actually codified in the law, because it makes it much easier to use without much backlash. While it can happen anywhere, it is at least not "totally cool and legal" in most developed countries, which imo acts as a deterrent.
- blitzar 5y ago
  > It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over. I guarantee that in your country there is a magic word they can say that means you can be detained indefinately without trial.
- unmole 5y ago
  Singapore had 19 million visitors in 2019 including yours truly. I wasn't afraid of getting framed for drug smuggling anymore than I would be afraid of getting shot in the US.
TulliusCicero 5y ago
I lived in Munich for five years and it was extremely safe and pleasant, without draconian laws. (Also kinda boring, for a major city anyway, but you can’t win ‘em all I guess.)
pcthrowaway 5y ago
Am I understanding you correctly? If the price for Singapore being convenient for you to visit as a tourist is the government killing their citizens who violate Draconian laws (or are accused of it), does that seem right to you?
- unmole 5y ago
  > Singapore being convenient for you to visit as a tourist The laws were not made for the benefit of tourists. Normal Singaporeans are the main beneficiaries of a safe and functional city.

anonymousDan 5y ago

Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other countries that do just fine without them.

fxtentacle 5y ago

It's the high average wealth level together with affordable food and high density = affordable residential areas. In the US, homelessness and people stealing for food are problems. In Singapore, both is less severe due to much lower prices.

taylortrusty 5y ago
Very few people are stealing for food in the US. Free food for the homeless is widely available in every major city.
- pessimizer 5y ago
  This is untrue; not everyone lives in a major city; and the vast majority of people who can't afford food have somewhere to live. People steal food everywhere, everyday, and when I was homeless, finding free food was nearly a full time job, which failed often. There were particular days with particular churches (with particular requirements), but no sort of blanket food coverage that didn't involve constant hunting.
Jerrrry 5y ago
>people stealing for food are problems. this is absurd

AlexandrB 5y ago

I don't think I'd feel safe in a place where the full force of the law can be applied based on mere suspicion: > Singapore’s Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act allows the authorities to detain an individual indefinitely without trial, if they are suspected of drug trafficking. It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over.

User23 5y ago
> It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over. This is true everywhere. Just some places are more honest about it than others.
- filoleg 5y ago
  I would wager that it is a bit more dangerous when that principle is actually codified in the law, because it makes it much easier to use without much backlash. While it can happen anywhere, it is at least not "totally cool and legal" in most developed countries, which imo acts as a deterrent.
blitzar 5y ago
> It's "safe" right up until you piss off the wrong person - then your life is over. I guarantee that in your country there is a magic word they can say that means you can be detained indefinately without trial.
unmole 5y ago
Singapore had 19 million visitors in 2019 including yours truly. I wasn't afraid of getting framed for drug smuggling anymore than I would be afraid of getting shot in the US.

TulliusCicero 5y ago

I lived in Munich for five years and it was extremely safe and pleasant, without draconian laws. (Also kinda boring, for a major city anyway, but you can’t win ‘em all I guess.)

pcthrowaway 5y ago

Am I understanding you correctly? If the price for Singapore being convenient for you to visit as a tourist is the government killing their citizens who violate Draconian laws (or are accused of it), does that seem right to you?

unmole 5y ago
> Singapore being convenient for you to visit as a tourist The laws were not made for the benefit of tourists. Normal Singaporeans are the main beneficiaries of a safe and functional city.