Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 14:27:01 EST
From:         Kang Woo <kwoo@PHYSICS.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject:      Singapore

>From: GSUSSMAN@emerson.bitnet
>Subject:      Cultural imperialism
>Regarding Joseph Stimpfl's claims that it is a matter of cultural imperialism
>to express one's horror at the human rights violations of other countries, in
>the case under discussion in our respective comments dealing with Singapore, I
>find no human value.  Were this the case, it would be perfectly right for
>nation states to carry the worst forms of barbarism without fear of censure or
>response.  To cite the obvious, Hitler, who in fact, escaped retaliatory
 respon-
>ses to his gross practices in the 30s, would welcome such views.  I don't mean
>to imply that Stimpfl shares values with such reactionary leaders, but only
>that his attempt to sit on the fence is indefensible.  Martin Niemoller, you
>may recall, the Protestant cleric dragged off to the concentration camps under
 t
>he Nazis, wrote that his failure to condemn the actions of the Nazis while
>communists, socialists, Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and opposition Catholic
>clergy were being dragged off, ultimately condemned him to the same fate.
>Cultural imperialism is not the imposition of human rights values but the
>imposition of forms of power that dehumanizes its victims.

>For those interested in substantiation of the record of Singapore in this
 regard
>, the last 10 years of the Far Eastern Economic Review (Index) is a good place
>to start.  Move on to the studies of human rights monitoring groups after that
>(Amnesty Int'l, etc.). GS

I read with amusement the recent exchanges on unspeakable human rights
violations in Singapore. While it is true that the Singapore government
has been less than democratic in certain decisions, I would hardly call those
oppressive or barbaric. None of such decisions, eg. continual existence of the
Internal Security Act or the recent ban of sale of chewing gum, has not affected
the general well-being of a once fragile society. That any good has
come out of these decisions is endlessly debatable, the fact that
Singapore has enjoyed prosperity since its independence in 1965 with
precisely this form of government is not. The people of Singapore
enjoy many facets of life which is unknown to many western societies.
A very high standard of living, good and affordable
education and healthcare, low unemployment (even in recession years),
national strategy to overcome global recession with mimimal loss, low crime
rate are some examples. Not having anti-government mass media
or easy access to pornography is at best desirable and at worst
a small price to pay.
Lest I leave the impression that I am blind supporter of the Singapore
government and somehow get paid to do this, I am NOT on both counts. I
do not agree with the existence of the Internal Security Act which allows
for detention without trial for up to two years and a host of other
issues, but I certainly support public policies which are good for the people.
Singapore, my home, is not a barbaric state as some people are misled to
believe and want others to do so. I have lived in Singapore for 25 years
and 4 years in the USA. I have seen the dangers of freedom without
responsibility.
The reports which one may have read in the Far East Economic Review are often
inaccurate, half-truths, biased, unsubstantiated or outright lies. The
documentary series on Singapore, eg. the Pacific Dragons, aired on public
television are also not an accurate portrayal.
As such, GSUSSMAN@emerson.bitnet, please do not take whatever is printed
in the FEER for a fact. Cross-reference with more reliable sources, better
yet, take a vacation in Singapore and judge for yourself.
I will conclude with three paradoxes: why do I, being a Singaporean subjected to
abject violation of human rights for the past twenty odd years, not feel
suddenly liberated in the face of total observance of human rights which
we seem to have in the USA? Singaporeans have the means and the inclination
to travel around the world. Why are there not more well-travelled Singaporeans
migrating to a more 'civilized' society, away from an autocratic regime?
Why are educated professionals from elsewhere migrating to Singapore in
large numbers?
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