Despite the multitude of petty laws, Singapore attracts many tourists. The clean and safe city is a haven in the midst of a region governed by shaky regimes and corrupt police forces. The mass transit system runs efficiently and is immaculately clean. Public parks and private gardens are well maintained. Malls, streets, and beaches are free from litter.
Crime rates are very low.
When westerners point the finger at Singapore's handling of crime, Singaporeans point the finger right back. Many Singaporeans and others in favor of the way things are handled in Singapore would argue that it is better to be very strict and very effective, than to be strict and ineffective. Americans can chew gum nearly anywhere they want to, listen to songs about killing cops, wear their hair at any length they choose, and spit to their heart's content. In the same way that Americans were unable to understand how Singaporeans could tolerate the strict punishments like those meted out to Michael Fay, Singaporeans look to the United States and wonder how Americans put up with crime-ridden and filthy streets. As the world's only superpower, the United States would apparently have the power to control crime.