Been a long time since I wrote on politics or rather something of a heavier nature. The last was I think during the Singapore's elections period, where it is advised not to blog about political issues. Well advised is a better word to use than 'Banned' or 'illegal'.
The IMF meetings were finally over yesterday, although it did not affect me much, I think it brought about much inconveience to the people working in the Suntec area with closure of roads, inspection of bags etc. I'm sure many National Servicemen suffered a worst fate by having their weekends burnt, units on 2NTM or 4NTM, elites units were probably put on stand-by or under quick reaction force on site. So its probably ironical to say 4 millions smiles welcome you. Of course that is only the down side of the event.
The good thing about it is, it will bring about many investors to Singapore, investing millions of dollars in a presumely safe place as compared to the region lately and thereafter benefitting the Singapore Government. Of course Singapore is a safe place, with policemen roaming the streets 24/7, NSmen suffering burnt weekends, intelligence units working round the clock, even the MRT security were on the balls, this week in particular is the most number of times I see them stopping commuters and inspecting their belongings.
Thank goodness, to everyone's delight, the terrorists directed their attention to Thailand which suffered a few bomb attacks, keeping Singapore safe. The government are happy, the delegates enjoyed their trip with world class services they received. Investors will be streaming in, GPD will increase, better economic growth, the rich will become even richer now, the poor will remain just as poor if not poorer, greater income disparity. Okay, I'm cynical. Well as least we know when there is a surplus in budget, the poor gets a share of it.
No protests are allowed during the IMF meetings, our democratic government has once again hit the news in international press, commendating what a liberal and democratic society we are. This is probably the only IMF meeting that we see the least number of protestants not that they gave up protesting, but were not given the chance to. Most of them are just social groups, they are not any Anti-Government or Pro-Terrorism groups. Well except for one, our dearest Mr Chee at Honglim Park. Not that I'm very pro-government, but that guy is bringing things to the edge. Security reasons they gave for rejecting the protesting groups, cannot withstand the media pressure and probably some pressure from IMF themselves, allowed a few groups in.
In a very significant contrast to what we see in Singapore, we take our eyes into the region, we will 1st see Taiwan and their anti corruption protest. More than a million gathered for a peaceful protest against their President. Its really suprising the taiwanese went through 10 days of protests in peace for they are infamous for the brawls and sprawls in parliment. Well, I guess leopard never changes its spot, violence broke out on the 11th day, clash involving thousands of people, started out with Ah Bian's supporters. After all this, Ah Bian's insistence that he is not stepping down is still very strong. It has progressed as such that they are urging people to stop work. So much for economic progress for the country. Political freedom or economic progress? I think its a difficult to judge. But 1 thing I can be very sure of, Singaporeans would definitely choose Economic Progess. Who gives a shit about who is the Prime Minister as long as there are some financial gains at the end of every financial work year.
Japan is also under going political transition as the Prime minister steps down for someone else to take over. Stepped down under pressure, peaceful though. I think he views economic reforms for the country would be more benefits to the Japanese rather hanging onto the tenure and not performing well. Why Ah Bian cant see this point? Did not really follow on the Japan issues, the thing that is flooding the news these 2 days is none other than Thailand.
Following the few explosions and a intended protest to denounce violence this friday by wearing black or white, it evolved into something that changed the history of Thailand. The Prime Minister was in the states having a meeting with UN when he lost his job, the military took over his government, his cabinet was dissolved. Soldiers and armoured vehicles roamed the streets of Bangkok. It was a rather peaceful transition. The Thais were rather indifferent to it even to the extend of welcoming this idea. People wanted him to step down ever since their last elections, parliments was dissolved, votes were not enough for him to assume office again, jurisdiction passed on to the court, revote, and its him again. The optimistic thing about this coup is the military is not doing this to obtain power, they will pass on power to a newly elected government as soon as they can. Corruption really brings the downfall of a leader, no matter how talented they are.
Asia's politics is in a mess now, we Singaporeans should actually be glad that we are here. At least we only see Tanks roaming the streets in Padang during National Day Parade. At least we don't see protestants fighting and throwing chairs all over the place, the most heated debate only occur once every 6years during elections, playing with each others words and sueing each other is probably as firece as it will go. At least we are not complaining that our Prime Minister should step down. At least we are not bombed every other day that tourists are fleeing the country. We should be thankful.
In a recent report I read, they found out the our dear Prime Minister is the most highly paid poltician in the world, drawing a pay of USD50000/mth. Seconding that is the World's most powerful man, George Bush drawing only USD30000/mth. I wonder if our PM is busier than Bush, or has he got more important decisions to make than Bush such as to justify his pay. But well, he is doing a good job up there so I shouldnt dwell about his pay. At least Singapore ranks top few in terms of low corruption rates.
Indonesia's Ex-president Habibi was interviewed by the press yesterday, he was present for the IMF meetings. When questioned about the remarks he made in 1998 about Singapore being a small red dot on the world map, the refuted that his words were twisted by the press. He never meant that in degratory terms. He said his words actually meant Singapore is just a small red spot on the world map, and their economy is thriving so well, and Indonesian should learn from them. Well doesnt matter what his explanations were anymore, that was 8 years back, we should be looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. And anyway he was right, geographically, Singapore is really a small red dot on the world map.
Well, Let's hope Ah Bian step down soon, a country can't really function well with a million people protesting for close to 2 weeks already. Let's also hope Thailand will restore their elected government soon. A military controlled state always spells danger, it only takes another Hilter wannabe. Japan's smooth transition is really comforting thus far. As for Singapore, we are still the rose amongst the thorns.