The importance of truth.
Posted by: slipperynipples on: November 24, 2005
As I've so endearingly mentioned on my previous blog, Australians are pre-occupied with the latest trial/sentence/whatever of that-Vietnamese-Australian-to-be-hanged-because-he-was-found-trafficking-drugs-in-Singapore.
In fact, they are so preoccupied that they've even managed to dig out news about Singapore being involved in the famous "Golden Triangle", thus investing tons of money in the drug trade in Mainland Southeast Asia, yet at the same time trying to persecute individuals for trafficking drugs into Singapore?!?
Ridiculous isn't it, how hyprocritical the government can be.
Yet, taking a step back, how much of this is truth?
These allegations are made by Dr Chee Soon Juan, whom we all know just how much trouble he gets into with his words.
Dr Chee accused Singapore of being hypocritical in terms of the this drug trafficking hanging people business, as it is at the same time, pumping tons of money into trade in Burma. The government is also accused of investing money into the Myanmar Fund, which is run by one of the biggest drug lords in Burma.
Ok, so what does this tell us?
For one, these words are from Chee Soon Juan. Thing is, can we really trust an opposition leader? One obviously out to get the incumbent party?
In another place, in another democracy, maybe. Because hey, over there, opposition leaders do want a piece of the pie in governance. But in Singapore? Hmmm, that's a tough question.
The opposition in Singapore has been known to be a little more than a facade, often not able to demonstrate their real abilities.
Yes, you can argue that they were never really given the chance to anyway. But look at the way they carry themselves in public, can we really take them seriously?
Secondly, a search on Google with the terms "Singapore, Nguyen" only managed to churn out the usual news about how Aussies are incensed, and how the Australian government is trying all sorts of diplomatic means to try to get the government to reduce his sentence (yeah, like, for like dunno how many times more than the min. amount).
Anyway the point is, apparently only the Aussie newspapers are carrying the news. The news of Singapore's involvement in Burma that is. When countries like Taiwan and New Zealand (to name a few), do provide updates on the issue in its entirety.
So there, what can we observe?
Maybe the Aussies are out to get us too. And why not, since they are already boycotting our airlines and telecoms (SIA & Optus)?
Not saying that the Aussies are going waaay overboard, but come on, let's see more evidence and truth to what you are saying. And to quote an opposition leader? From Singapore? You might as well raise Hitler or General Yamashita from the dead and get them to comment on this matter.
Well anyway, the point of all this is, how much of truth is truth? And how much of truth can we get out of a person, considering his background and possibly motives? The fact that there is skepticism about the government among much of the populace doesn't really help much, but really, should we buy into the words of the opposition? If so, then why the hell has the PAP been in power for so long without any real opposition? Why do we then, keep voting for the same party, if we do not trust in them?
Perhaps the answer lies not because we are lazy or political apathetic. But perhaps we question the actions and motives of opposition more than we do of the incumbent.
A case of the "lesser" evil? Perhaps, but hey, given a chance, I'd rather pick a government who knows what its doing, compared to some guy who rants and raves all the streets badmouthing the government.
2 Responses to "The importance of truth."
November 28, 2005 at 12:12 am
http://www.singapore-window.org/804caq9.htm
“SINGAPORE’S economic linkage with Burma is one of the most vital factors for the survival of Burma’s military regime,” says Professor Mya Maung, a Burmese economist based in Boston. This link, he continues, is also central to “the expansion of the heroin trade.” Singapore has acieved the distinction of being the Burmese junta’s number one business partner – both largest trading partner and largest foreign investor. More than half these investments, totaling upwards of $1.3 billion, are in partnership with Burma’s infamous heroin kingpin Lo Hsing Han who now controls a substantial portion of the world’s opium trade. The close political, economic and military relationship between the two countries facilitates the weaving of millions of narco-dollars into the legitimate world economy.–>
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November 26, 2005 at 6:44 pm
Haha.
If there is something I’ve learnt about reading news- both from ST and SMH, is to really focus on filtering news.
Allegations made by CSJ may not be the best of the lot, but honestly speaking, where else can you find differing opinions on politics in Singapore if not from the opposition? Party discipline dictates that it would not be possible.
Not that you ought to take his comments seriously. But nevertheless it is important to be able to first assess opposing views in order to make your own decision on who is right/wrong. ST is worrying in that it makes that decision for you, at a time when it pretends it doesn’t.
The sheer amount and one-sided coverage in ST a cause for concern- arguably, it can be just as detrimental as SMH’s quoting from CSJ alone. We need balanced reports, not loop-sided ones like both. How does one such article from SMH pose a threat to the dozen confidence building ones in the ST?
I don’t think it does. But it sure does make you sit up and ask yourself- so who’s not telling us something. And that’s important.
Isn’t it weird that whenever we have a conflict of press ideology with any other country- their’s is always the irresponsible press? They may not be right, but they may have a point we should notice.
I think it is premature to bring in prejudices of SIA and Optus into this. They are based on protectionist politics that are very much a part of the world. Though I would think that from an emotive point of view, I would not blame Australians for boycotting Sg companies- it’s the way liberal societies work- that’s how they show disapproval. If we ask them to respect our laws and our way of life- we have to accept that that’s the way they live too.
We cannot keep pressing others about protectionist rights that they don’t want to give up while keeping our own. Our nation subscribes to globolisation because it’s our lifeblood, but we cannot expect others to have to do the same.
With tensions running this high, we cannot expect the Australian media to remain non-partisan on this issue- just like ST seems to only file reports criticising Australian influence and how JHoward refuses to bring the case to the ICJ. ThinkCenter Singapore is asking for a re-look of the capital punishement- but oddly enough even in forum letters, I’ve yet to see (maybe it’s the exams) one that even request we take a hard look at our own policies. When we get tonnes from Australia applauding our tough stand on drugs.
We don’t even need to change our laws- we just need to ask ourselves one more time if that’s what we want- and move on.
When faced with criticism- there are a few ways people deal with it.
They could choose to only internalise those that match their idea and concept of how things should be and deregulate the rest as non-important noise.
Or they could reflect on it and decide, irregardless how partisan or true/untrue it is, if there is even a semblance of something that they could learn from, ask themselves and make it a positive learning experience. Criticism is almost never without a valid point- the crux is to discover how much of it is true and act on that part.
As for voting PAP in power- academically there are many reasons for this- from the sheer incapability and untrustworthiness of the opposition, to inertia, and mostly a population that believes in subject political theory.
Believing and listening to CSJ are two different things altogether. There is also no point in lambasting what we know is not credible. But it doesn’t mean that we should drown out the noise and not bother to see if there actually is a point in all these mess.
Not for the Australians. But for ourselves.
p.s.: tough.
sorry to mess up your new bloggie. I guess that’s the problem with blogs though- how to keep out people while letting the rest in…