Most opposition politicians have boycotted Speakers' Corner, saying it is no substitute for true liberty. Singapore's efforts to keep out drugs, pornography and Western permissiveness can be downright comical. Much to the censors' chagrin, he attaches their rulings to the video jacket. Prime Minister Goh acknowledged that some of the rules might make Singapore look silly, but he defended them, saying that until the clampdown, urine in elevators and chewing gum jamming subway doors had been real problems. The government has long engaged in social engineering that strikes some critics as Orwellian, such as running a dating service for professionals and conducting campaigns to encourage educated Singaporeans to have more kids.
Officials contend it's hard to argue with success.
People are wise to look at us. Yet the impulse to control leaves little room for spontaneity. And we can make it still more fun, provided you realize that fun is not the only thing in life. There is a perception among Singaporeans that Goh represents the more liberal wing of the party, while Lee and his father take a somewhat harder line. Goh insists it's just a difference in style.