Singapore: Not really a free country
posted at 2:34 pm on July 20, 2006 by Bryan
Blogger publishes cartoons mocking Christ. Riots do not ensue in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter.
But the blogger is in Singapore, and his cartoons got him investigated by the cops:
“After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, in consultation with attorney-general’s chamber, we have decided to issue a stern warning to the offender in lieu of prosecution,” police said Thursday.
They said the unidentified blogger “was warned accordingly” earlier this month.
The blogger could have been jailed for up to three years or fined 5,000 Singapore (3,150 US) dollars or both if convicted under the Sedition Act.
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom group had criticized police for investigating the blogger, saying the case showed Singapore had scant regard for media independence.
The Straits Times has reported that the 21-year-old blogger, who described himself as a free-thinking office worker, first posted a cartoon in January depicting Jesus Christ as a zombie biting a boy’s head.
He ignored an online message asking for the cartoon’s removal and went on to post more caricatures of Christ to spite the sender.
I don’t see what cartoons of Christ have to do with Sedition, but I do know authoritarianism when I see it. I also know an imbalanced approach to justice when I see it:
Singapore, a multi-racial island nation, clamps down hard on anyone inciting communal tensions. Two ethnic Chinese men were jailed last year for anti-Muslim blogs.
I don’t think anyone should be investigated, warned or jailed for any of this. But note–the guy who mocked Christ got off with a warning. The guys who mocked Islam got jail time.
Blowback
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I’m glad I live in this country.
Kini on July 20, 2006 at 3:07 PM
Well, we now know another place the Muslims need to conquer . . .
The Therapist on July 20, 2006 at 3:12 PM
It’s all fun and games until someone gets his head chopped off.
Kid from Brooklyn on July 20, 2006 at 3:19 PM
Singapore is a very, very different place. It’s really a nice place in a lot of ways, but you just don’t stir the pot there.
Pablo on July 20, 2006 at 4:14 PM
That’s the direction Europe is heading. The problem with allowing tribes to insult each other is that they might react violently. We’ve had success with liberal values like free speech in societies with limited cultural heterogeneity, but there has yet to be a nation-state wherein such abstract values can consistently override tribal passions. Europe have chosen not to try; as they become more tribally heterogeneous, they are scaling back free speech.
Alex K on July 20, 2006 at 4:31 PM
I’ve visited Singapore several times, most recently about a month ago. It is a clean and beautiful city-state, with a very advanced economy. It is also a model of ethnic harmony and an extremely staunch U.S. ally.
It being surrounded by Muslim countries, I can understand why the government does not want people stirring up ethnic and religious tensions at this moment in time. Singapore is also a model of assimilating ethnic groups, e pluribus unum, into a national identity, as opposed to what we stupidly are doing in the U.S. right now, which is encouraging ethnic groups to assert their independence and not assimilate, thus balkanizing our population.
Singapore is a strange choice to be picking on.
januarius on July 20, 2006 at 5:21 PM
They are definitely a police state.
Warner Todd Huston on July 20, 2006 at 5:39 PM
Bloody french. Do they not ever mind their own… oh, wait a minute. Sorry.
THeDRiFTeR on July 20, 2006 at 5:40 PM
Since its independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore’s government has never supported or condoned seditious speech. Outrageous!, isn’t it? Just imagine, if America’s MSM “suffered” under Singaporean policies, it would (almost) be forced to routinely publish positive stories regarding the daily accomplishments of America’s 300 million citizens. Unthinkable.
Although the population of Singapore is 98.5 times less than that of the U.S., making it a comparative societal test tube, the U.S. would be much better off were it to incorporate some of Singapore’s no-nonsense, homeland-bashing-intolerant, “love it or leave it,” policies.
From personal observation: Singaporean’s don’t drop gum or throw trash on the street because they fear capture and caning by fascist government agents (favorite canards of the “we’re better than anyone bashers), but, because, as a national culture, they believe doing so would be simply wrong. What a novel (universally commendable) concept.
Those who take comfort in bashing Singapore have (obviously) never been there. Athough the government of Singapore is not immune to the pressures of global liberalism (nor is it perfect), Singapore remains one of the most beautiful and successful nation states on the planet, by any measure.
Bashers need find another target (or a mirror).
BJ Phisch on July 20, 2006 at 6:27 PM
januarius and BJ Phisch, you summed Singapore up very nicely. In addition Singaporeans work 3-4 jobs each, in pursuit of family happiness/success. They are also not inclined to mope and blame others. Very accountable and non-elite, friendly people, with a very bloody past, due to grotesque conquerers.
Warner Todd Huston, Singapore is not a “police state” in the true sense but it is a benevolent dictatorship. The problem with them is the ‘benevolent’ and at which point that part can/will drop off. It all depends on when the benevolent ruler dies, is incapacitated or suffers a change of mind.
I saw there the oddest of real-life pictures – a young Japanese executive, speaking fervently on a cell-phone, being drawn in a rickshaw by a very old Chinese man.
Singapore is more than a good friend of the US – it is a highly significant strategic/military partner. Many, many good things going on there, especially in the new rearranging of decks (distancing somewhat from Europe and forming better Asian alliances).
Entelechy on July 20, 2006 at 7:11 PM
From personal observation: Singaporean’s don’t drop gum or throw trash on the street because they fear capture and caning by fascist government agents (favorite canards of the “we’re better than anyone bashers), but, because, as a national culture, they believe doing so would be simply wrong. What a novel (universally commendable) concept.
Bingo. I’m going to act right and I expect you to do the same.
Singapore is not oppressive until you screw up.
Pablo on July 20, 2006 at 7:35 PM
It’s crap like this that makes you appreciate living in the United States.
4thelittleguy on July 20, 2006 at 7:54 PM
As an acquaintance in Singapore told me yesterday:
LegendHasIt on July 20, 2006 at 11:13 PM
Been to Singapore many times. I agree with above statements – it’s a beautiful, safe place.
msflea on July 21, 2006 at 7:22 AM
KidfromBrooklyn — oh how times have changed … it use to be all fun and games until someone got their eye poked out.
wytammic on July 21, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Never been to Singapore — so don’t go all ballistic when I say I’ve read that they don’t bat an eye of crossing over into Malaysia for child prostitutes by the droves — but as long as Singapore is a beautiful place, who am I to judge?
wytammic on July 21, 2006 at 11:26 AM