I've been living in Singapore for 2 years and 6 months now. I came here with expectations of a society that safer, more civil, and more free than the one i left (Kuala Lumpur).
My expectations have not been fulfilled.
You see, Singapore being a trading and commercial hub in Asia, a society largely influenced by Western culture with a good blend in of the east as well has set itself standards which come naturally with a country claiming to be a first world nation. One of them being freedom of expression.
Lets not go there shall we for the moment? Suffice to say you would probably agree with me that Singapore's reputation in that is similar to Malaysia's, only difference being, get on the wrong side of the powers-that be in Malaysia, and you'll end up in a lockup, and probably dead the next day.
In Singapore, its going to be a defamation suit, cause yes, if you go by the law, what you do say is slander and yes, you will get prosecuted.
There have been accusations that the Singapore Law Society and the Judicial system is heavily influenced by the government. A lot of accusations actually, by individuals officially deemed not credible by the ruling party such as the...... well....... opposition.
That being said, one does wonder. There can't be smoke without fire.
I find all my singaporean friends to be politically impotent. They have no critical arguments against the ruling party, nor do they have much opinion at all about government policies or the way the country is run.
I get this aura of fear whenever i talk critically about a government policy, as if one wrong word from me, and everyone around me gets arrested on the spot and charged with sedition. In Malaysia? I do not.
Yes, at home things are horrible compared to Singapore. Singapore is a dream city. Its safe, its civil, you can run a business here without the political bullshit.
But, in Malaysia, the youth are not afraid of speaking up and voicing strong opinions about the government. We do not get listened to, what we say falls on deaf ears , BUT we have opinions. Opinions beyond complaining about lack of parking spaces to the local MP, or complaining about ERP price hikes and then doing nothing about it, its all pathetic.
Noone is questioning their government's popularity with Amnesty International, The International Herald Tribune and The Committe to Protect Journalists.
Noone questions the non-renewal of employment visas for international journalists.
The government may or may not have solid reasons for doing this (i honestly don't know), but i wonder why the youth don't really care, but rather want to get on with their lives and try to make it big in financial terms.
I wish my friends would be a bit more patriotic and really, genuinely voice their opinions about government/economic/social policies, because that shows you're not here to just make a living. You're here because you are Singaporeans, people who have invested their lives here and want the best for their nation's future.
If this carries on, the future of Singapore is going to be decided by individuals without passion for their nation , people without a history of having critical views on policy, a history beneficial to creating new policies that will help keep Singapore competitive in the world market and keep her friends in the western,eastern world.
And FYI, i am getting tired of the line:
"You are here getting educated with Singaporean taxpayer dollars in your MOE grant. so don't complain".
Please, Singapore got me in, cause i'm talented, and my country's gone to the dogs. I came here wanting a better life. It is only reasonable i feel concerned about a country i am considering calling home. And being critical does not mean i am spitting in the face of the taxpayer. Get your facts right.
Cheers from,
The Matrix
|