From: kc@ee.umr.edu (Kok Ching Ong)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: SINGAPORE LAWS
Date: 1 Oct 92 02:28:32 GMT
Organization: University of Missouri - Rolla

In article <1992Sep30.002138.9188@news.Hawaii.Edu> guiyu@spectra (Kui Yu Chang) writes:
>	People complain that there are too many LAWS and RESTRICTIONS in
>Singapore. From this point, they conclude that Singapore is NOT democratic.
>
The basis of democracy is not dictated by the number of laws and restrictions
in a nation.  Hence the criterion for the conclusion is not valid.
To my understanding, democracy dictates that government officials be elected
by the people.  I would believe democracy has to do with the process of 
how laws are passed etc.  Somebody else can probably enlighten netters here.

>	There are other Issues such as ISA (Internal Security Act :  which 
>allows detention WITHOUT trial), freedom of speech, etc. but I wish to discuss
>only the PART pertaining to 'having too many RULES and REGULATIONS'.
>
I believe the above issues like ISA and freedom of speech are true concerns 
of whether a country is democratic or other wise.

>	In the past, people would always bring up the point that you can get
>fined S$500 for littering, S$1000 for not flushing the Toilet after use, etc.
>and I was lead to believe that well, maybe it is too harsh. Having lived in 
>Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, I find that Singapore does have plenty of Laws which
>are ACTUALLY enforced.
>
<stuff about Taiwan, Hong Kong and China deleted>
>
>	When I came to U.S.A., I was impressed with the plethora of LAWS it 
>has. For starters, when I alighted from the 747 and board a transfer vehicle,
>the bus driver would not move unless `ALL PASSENGERS IS BEHIND THE WHITE LINE`
>, a boundary on the bus. On public buses in Hawaii, the above applies also. In
>addition, you are FORBIDDEN by state law to Eat or Drink, play loud music, 
>smoke on a bus. Now, that`s more servere than in Singapore Buses.
>
>	The irony is that U.S.A. is reputed to be the most democratic nation
>on earth(you may have other contenders but at least it is a very democratic
>country) and these many LAWS? So why are people criticizing Singapore's LAWs?
>
My experience is that life here is less restrictive than back home in
S'pore.  I can honestly say that I feel more liberated, instead of being held 
on a tight leash.  The fact that no restrictions are placed on what one can
or cannot read, say, see or do is very refreshing.  I don;t necessarily have
to do what I can't do back home, but knowing that I can if I want to is a 
nice feeling. 

The Toilet and Gum Ban Laws seem silly to me.
Instead of fining someone, and have the culprit's
face shown on the newspapers, they can just install sensors to flush after one
has used it.  Or just have the toilet flush itself every couple of minutes.
These laws, IMHO, are set up ad hoc as "quick fixes" to curb certain
undesirable human social behavior.  I still prefer instilling civic mindedness
as a long term measure to change human behavior.

Singapore has but a history of 27 years.  Some of the laws which are set up
are done as "quick fixes" to ensure that we survive.  There were so many 
factors against us when we achieved independence.  ISA, I believe is set up 
to prevent Singapore from being a communist nation.  I don't know if it 
serves any purpose now since no S'porean in the right mind would want to 
be a communist.  I remember reading from the papers that Singapore will 
consider removing ISA if Malaysia does it first.  It seems apparent to me
that Malaysia won't do it, hence S'pore likewise, will not remove the act
either. 

The system that governs Singapore is different.  It's not like U.S of A, but
lest Bush lead you to believe that communist USSR and the Berlin Wall fell due
to democracy USA style, they really fell apart because of bread and butter 
issues.  People were sick of standing in line for hours just to get bread and
milk.  They were sick of not having food on their tables.  In short, they fell
due to feelings of discontent from basic necessities of life.  The discontent
that many Americans face today due to loss of jobs,  the enormous budget deficit
are probably due to poor management by the US government.  These are problems
that we haven't had to contend with as yet.   While some of us may not agree
with what PAP has done, I do believe that credit should be given where 
credit is due.  They have indeed done a good job.


>	THIS IS A DISCUSSION, NOT A DEBATE. I HAVE RAISED AN ISSUE AND WOULD
>LIKE TO GET OPINIONS FROM BOTH SIDE OF THE BOARD.
>


-- 
Kok-Ching Ong                   | Disclaimer : the usual
Internet: kc@ee.umr.edu         | 
Bitnet  : s098621@umrvma        |
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean