Blog What’s the problem with Singapore?
February 11th, 2007Singapore-bashing frequently seems to be a fun sport in neighboring countries. Are they just jealous - or is there something more to it?
South East Asia’s leaders never miss an opportunity to pick a fight with Singapore, the Economist points out in its latest issue. We have been witnessing it again in the last few weeks:
And so the list goes on …
The discussion is being picked up by bloggers as well. One of them calls himself Digital Terrorist - and jokingly,under the headline “Free love end week” states:
Singapore’s foreign relations are souring between Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. We’re Asians after all, conservative and can’t have threesomes.
A bit more serious - a discussion has already started on the topic on Tomorrow - Bulletin of Singapore bloggers.
Many have blogged about the ASEAN soccer final game between Thailand and Singapore, in which the Thais stomped off the pitch and sulked for 15 minutes.
Singapore blogger jkaiser writes:
And so thailand only got a reprimand for their pitch walkout during the 1st leg match in Singapore. This despite their players obviously showing dissent, physically and verbally abusing the referee. The best part was that the coach sanctioned the walkout and he became a national hero back in Thailand.
I guess this is so Asean, the policy of non-interference with neighbours, even though it makes the whole region look like bloody clowns with no backbone.
The fighting is not over yet - that’s for sure. And the explanation why is probably quite simple: Singapore is small, has a Chinese majority and is extremely rich (and proud about it) compared to its neighbors.
It’s pure jealousy, isn’t it?
