When you put it like that…
26 May 2008

We could see things as isolated incidents, but when they’re put together in this video, it’s pretty scary.

It’s clear that things aren’t quite as bad as they used to be, but everyone knows (and no one says) that what political freedoms there are have not been allowed for the meaningful participation of the people, but for the international image of Singapore as a society that is just free enough to be politically acceptable to deal with.

I do feel a bit ashamed of my armchair activism. I have to consider that I may return to Singapore to find a job, and my mother wants to continue peacefully living there. If we go back to Singapore, Neil will probably apply for permanent residency. If I tap into that well of political activism and actually get involved in anything with a media profile, those three things will go down the toilet.

How in the hell can (enough) people be motivated to the point of coming out in force to protest or demonstrate against laws or policies that they deem unjust? It’s been amply demonstrated that there is no hesitation on the part of the government (and its senior staff / politicians) to come down on individuals who they feel can be made examples of (see the AcidFlask case).

IMHO, that is the dilemma most politically-aware Singaporeans face. We have so much to lose if we speak up in dissent. The real irony is the majority of political activists who have been — and continue to be — arrested and / or sued for defamation are the very Singaporeans who would lay down their lives to defend the country (for they are the true patriots), while the passive majority who complain in private but daren’t speak up will flee the moment a better opportunity beckons.

1 Comment

  1. Alfian Saat (sp?) put it succinctly once that if you care too much for Singapore, it will break your heart. Political activism in Singapore has to develop in its own way because the way the Chees and the JBJs is going does not sit well with the rest of the populace. They are going for the middle-ground – which is the Chiam and Low Thia Kiang way and it sits a lot better with the people. However, the jury is still out on whether their brand of politics is effective. The most telling thing about the whole issue is how JBJ left the Workers Party and has started his own.

    Comment by D W — 27 May 2008 @ 8:01 am

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