Singapore-bashing frequently seems to be a fun sport in neighboring countries. Are they just jealous - or is there something more to it?

READ THE REST IN OUR BLOG:
http://www.asiaobserver.com/blog/

I think the problem is that Singapore systematically is behaving quite arrogantly towards other nations in the region.

Kevin

Kevin,

I agree with you.

For me the concern on Singapore is that officialy it is a democracy but in fact the dictature of one party in charge since the independance of this country, and even before.

let me quote some of singapore's "inequalities"
as stated in Asia Times 2006.

Growing economic inequality -In mid-November, Lee announced government plans to raise the goods and service tax (GST) from 5% to 7%.

GST was proposed in Hong Kong and yet the citizens strongly opposed such added tax and saw it as clutching more on low waged-earners and small businesses in the region.

Entrenched elitism

The issue is also significantly tied to growing public perceptions about elitism among PAP members of parliament (MPs) and their family members - a perceived social arrogance and economic selfishness that increasingly sticks in the craw of many Singaporeans, particularly among low-wage earners.

read more on: http://www.singapore-window.org/sw06/061123AT.HTM

and how about this?

Create social welfare fund from statutory deductions

"The argument is that we are overtaxed."

Dennis Morrison
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/html/20060516T230000- 0500_104760_OBS_CREATE_SOCIAL_WELFARE_FUND_FROM_STATUTORY_DEDUCTIONS.a sp



[b]

Its OK, but what do you think about my idea that Singapore is a fake democracy ?

I think that it is not true that western form of democracy is not suitable in Asia whose values are not the same : the so-called neo-conservatives.

Taiwan is the best exemple : It's belong to chinese culture : but have all western style of democracy (multipartism, election of the president directly by the population, freedom of association, freedon of religions and of labor syndicats... In Filipinas also, but there they are too many political murders.

When in a parliament (In Singapore the Legislative Council) one party is in charge since 1959 and is today leading with 82 of its 84 members. It's not democracy.

When in a election competition, as a opposition you critize for instance the educational or transport programm, Immediatly the two ministers in cause , plus the Prime Minister attack you for diffamation, plus the PM. So all the opposition paties and personnaly their leaders have been ruined. If an opposition leader want to make a public meeting, he has to ask for the permission one month before, but he dont received it. So, if he do it, he is arrested in charge of not authorized meeting anf heavely condemned. That is what I call a false democracy?