Spring Break
Singapore Trades Freedoms For Happiness
Bryan Murphy
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Commentary
Then, if some group tries to make a documentary about the tragic plight of such a street-side novelist and decides to call it, hypothetically, "A Vision of Persistence," one need only remind the filmmakers that according to the Films Act in Singapore, it is illegal to make a film which "contains wholly or partly either partisan or biased references to or comments on any political matter," or could be construed as making a comment on "a current policy of the government or an issue of public controversy" - though, of course, the prime minister can also ban any film whatsoever at any time at his utmost discretion.
Addendum: the possession of "obscene films" is also a crime, carrying a fine of S$1,000 per film, though prostitution itself is not illegal in Singapore.
More unsettling than the thought that a cursory scan of my hard-drive by a police officer would result in about S$500,000 worth of fines, however, is the total apathy of the younger generation here to their seemingly unnoticed plight.
So as not to seem negative, I've got to mention that the National University of Singapore student body has the Huskies whipped in terms of athleticism and entrepreneurialism. One cannot seem to take three steps on this campus without passing a horde of toned bodies or flat tummies - nor can one get from one class to another without being bombarded with offers to purchase roses for their loved ones, sweets for their friends, or tickets to student plays and dances.
However, there's almost nothing here in the way of student debate societies or political groups. Not that there isn't more than ample soil for an advocacy group to grow in. Prostitution is legalized in this nation, yet there are no feminist protests. Pornography is illegal, yet there are no free-speech advocates. Possession of a gram of marijuana might not even get you a night in jail in certain cities in the U.S. - Boulder, Colorado, cough cough - yet the U.S. has spawned "Students for Sensible Drug Policy." Meanwhile, in a nation with the highest per-capita execution rate in the world - where the vast majority of executions are drug-related - there is nary a whimper of protest raised.
Addendum: the possession of "obscene films" is also a crime, carrying a fine of S$1,000 per film, though prostitution itself is not illegal in Singapore.
More unsettling than the thought that a cursory scan of my hard-drive by a police officer would result in about S$500,000 worth of fines, however, is the total apathy of the younger generation here to their seemingly unnoticed plight.
So as not to seem negative, I've got to mention that the National University of Singapore student body has the Huskies whipped in terms of athleticism and entrepreneurialism. One cannot seem to take three steps on this campus without passing a horde of toned bodies or flat tummies - nor can one get from one class to another without being bombarded with offers to purchase roses for their loved ones, sweets for their friends, or tickets to student plays and dances.
However, there's almost nothing here in the way of student debate societies or political groups. Not that there isn't more than ample soil for an advocacy group to grow in. Prostitution is legalized in this nation, yet there are no feminist protests. Pornography is illegal, yet there are no free-speech advocates. Possession of a gram of marijuana might not even get you a night in jail in certain cities in the U.S. - Boulder, Colorado, cough cough - yet the U.S. has spawned "Students for Sensible Drug Policy." Meanwhile, in a nation with the highest per-capita execution rate in the world - where the vast majority of executions are drug-related - there is nary a whimper of protest raised.
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GC Chwee
posted 2/08/08 @ 9:09 PM EST
Hello Bryan,
You got pretty much of your facts right. But your reasons for why Singaporeans are politically apathetic are far from accurate.
It is the ruling elites, the oligarchs, that want to emulate only the American economy and not the rights you enjoy and probably taken for granted. (Continued…)
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